DETROIT — Marty Turco was surrounded by teammates in front of the net at Joe Louis Arena. For the first time in his pro career at The Joe, they weren’t there to console him.
Turco made 38 saves to lift Dallas to a 2-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday in Game 5, extending the Western Conference finals after the Stars lost the first three games of the series.
“It’s probably the best I’ve felt in this building ever,” Turco said.
Turco’s timing was perfect. He had been 0-9-2 as a pro at The Joe after starring in college at Michigan, going 18-5 in the storied venue.
Trevor Daley scored in the first period and Joel Lund-qvist had a go-ahead goal on an assist from Turco in the second to help the Stars pull to 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Game 6 is Monday in Dallas. If necessary, Game 7 will be Wednesday in Detroit.
“We’ve proven that we belong in this series — and this building as well,” Stars center Steve Ott said. Dallas 1 1 0 — 2
Detroit 1 0 0 — 1
First period — 1, Dallas, Daley 1 (Richards, Hagman), 9:21. 2, Detroit, Hudler 4 (Kronwall, Filppula), 15:30 (pp). Penalties — Stuart, Det (tripping), 3:30; McCarty, Det (roughing), 3:30; Winchester, Dal (roughing), 3:30; Modano, Dal (interference), 10:29; Daley, Dal (interference), 13:34; Daley, Dal (roughing), 19:00; Maltby, Det (roughing), 19:00.
Second period — 3, Dallas, Lundqvist 2 (Turco), 6:04. Penalties — Norstrom, Dal (interference), 1:08; Holmstrom, Det (cross-checking), 6:53; Hudler, Det (slashing), 14:23.
Third period — None. Penalty — Holmstrom, Det (roughing), 12:11.
Shots on goal — Dallas 10-6-5 — 21. Detroit 14-13-12 — 39. Power-play opportunities — Dallas 0 of 4; Detroit 1 of 3. Goalies — Dallas, Turco 10-7 (39 shots-38 saves). Detroit, Osgood 9-2 (21-19). Attendance — 20,066 (20,066).
T — 2:32. Referees — Bill McCreary, Kevin Pollock. Linesmen — Steve Miller, Brian Murphy.
