Sharks Come Alive

San Jose
Sharks

Steve Shields backed up his team's newfound offense with a strong performance and stopping 30 shots including key saves in the final period.

"In that final minute, I was having fun," Shields said. "I wasn't nervous. I'm usually more nervous when the games start. I knew they were going to attack me. All I had to do was defend."

Dallas opened the scoring on the power play as Mike Modano scored his fifth goal of the playoffs and third of the series.

Ricci finally scored for San Jose on a 5-on-3 power-play in the second period, thwarting Ed Belfour's bid to become the first goaltender since Toronto's Frank McCool in 1945 to record shutouts in the first three games of a playoff series.

"The first goal lifted us," said San Jose defenseman Jeff Norton. "It was big. Our doubts were over. That one got us going. We haven't lost our confidence. We just needed a wakeup call."

Owen Nolan scored the game-winner as he just managed to poke a pass from Vincent Damphousse into the corner of the net.

"Our game plan was to get more shots and rebounds tonight," said Nolan. "I just started to drive to the net and push the puck there."

Dallas outshot San Jose 31-28, but spend a lot of time in the penalty box.

"We were very undisciplined. When you spend 10 minutes in the penalty box, it comes back at you," Modano said. "You give them enough penalties and they're going to find some spots."

Game 4 is on Friday at San Jose.

"We've cut it in half, but we have a lot of work to do yet on Friday," Ricci said.