"The biggest disappointment is we wasted that goaltending effort. But we forced it to overtime when we probably didn't deserve it."—Barry Trotz on the Predators loss Friday night
The Nashville Predators spent most of Friday night surviving a relentless Redwing attack, as Detroit poured on the shots only to find frustration at the net of the Predators Dan Ellis. The Predators seemed to all but abandon him, leaving him to face 54 shots, remarkably letting in only one in regulation time.
The Wings must have been wondering what they needed to do put away the Predators on Friday, despite their overwhelming offensive advantage they were but one goal ahead heading into the last minute of play, when the Predators playing with the Ellis out of the net tied up the game.
The Predators goal sent the game into overtime and tested the nerves of the Red Wing fans, who have watched their own team struggle at times with Nashville this series.
The winning goal picked up by Johan Frantzen came less than two minutes into the extra period, as the Wings grabbed the puck on a broken Predator play in the neutral zone, sending Frantzen in alone to score the winner and propel the Red Wings into a three game to two lead in the series.
The Predators have yet to win a game on the road in their playoff history, a stretch of ten games, with six of the losses taking place over the years at the Joe Louis Arena. Game six heads back to Nashville for Sunday, where the Predators feel more comfortable.
If the Preds can find success one more time there, they’ll have one more opportunity to finally rewrite their playoff history with a game seven showdown at the Joe.
CBC Sports-- Johan Franzen bails out Red Wings in OT
Globe and Mail--Red Wings down Preds in OT
National Post-- Red Wings beat Predators in overtime
Detroit Free Press-- Shoot till you drop must be Wings' credo
Detroit Free Press-- 52 saves not enough: Preds waste goaltender Dan Ellis' phenomenal night
Detroit Free Press-- Fran-tastic: Breakaway goal in overtime gives Wings Game
Detroit News-- Back in front: Franzen's overtime winner restores edge
Detroit News-- Wings solve riddle of Ellis
The Tennessean-- Preds take gut shot
The Tennessean-- Ellis' career night wasted
The Tennessean-- Preds stars may return for Game 6
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NHL.com-- Stats Pack
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