Tomas Holmstrom's reputation as a net-front annoyance precedes him. Since the Western Conference finals shifted to Dallas, referees appear to be keeping a closer eye on Holmstrom, who did a good job of screening and harassing Stars goaltender Marty Turco in the first two games.

On Wednesday, Turco got his revenge, courtesy of a referee's call that puzzled the Red Wings. Many said they had no idea a goal can be disallowed because a player's rear end is hanging over the crease, even if his skates aren't in the blue paint.

"I've never heard of a goal being disallowed because your (rear) was in the crease," Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood said.

That's what happened at 7:34 of the second period, when the Red Wings thought they had taken a 1-0 lead on an apparent power-play goal by Pavel Datsyuk. However, referee Kelly Sutherland waved it off, ruling that Holmstrom's backside was hanging over the crease. And coach Mike Babcock was not a happy camper.

"The guy's out of the paint. That's a reputation call, totally," Babcock said after his club's 3-1 loss. "It's disappointing. Some things go wrong and you miss it. Just don't make stuff up, that's all."

Asked if his reputation led to the call, Holmstrom said, "Who knows? I don't want to go there."

STARS 3, RED WINGS 1: The Red Wings weren't blaming a disallowed goal by Pavel Datsyuk for costing them a chance to wrap up the series and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. They lost because they couldn't capitalize on six power-play opportunities and because Marty Turco delivered the kind of goaltending Dallas needed earlier in the Western Conference final. The Stars played with desperation, and their best players stepped up for the first time in the series.

As a result, the Red Wings' nine-game playoff winning streak was snapped. Detroit is still in command of the series with a 3-1 lead, however.

Mike Modano snapped a 1-1 tie with a power-play goal at 5:35 of the third period, and Brendan Morrow added a vital insurance goal at 14:34. The Red Wings' lone goal came from Henrik Zetterberg 49 seconds into the third period, tying the game after Loui Eriksson opened the scoring with 23 seconds to play in the second period.

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