"Right now, they're finding ways to win," center Pierre Turgeon

	Related Links: GameCenter Sharks sitting pretty after Game 4 win Audio: San Jose defenseman Bryan Marchment says Sharks are on the verge of something special Real | Windows Media Audio: Marchment says Sharks must still win one more game Real | Windows Media Audio: Marchment says Sharks now know how to win in playoffs Real | Windows Media Stanley Cup Playoffs Central Forum: Will the Sharks win Game 5?
	T O P   N E W S

said in the eerily-quiet dressing room after Wednesday night's 3-2 defeat. "I don't think anybody can argue they're getting the bounces and we're not. They're working their butts off."

Few gave the eighth-seeded Sharks a prayer against St. Louis, which posted the best regular-season record in the NHL. But they keep defying the odds, not to mention logic, with blood, sweat and luck. To be sure, the shell-shocked Blues will be talking to themselves all the way home.

"I don't know if we're in shock," said Turgeon. "Certainly, frustrated. It's not going to be easy, but we did it last year. Nobody got down; we just kept working."

St. Louis hadn't dropped three consecutive games since last year's first-round playoff meeting against Phoenix, when it rebounded for a 4-3 series win. But even home ice might not be enough to prevent an early exit Friday night, not if this craziness continues.

One minute the Blues are kicking in own-goals, the next they're caroming off gloves. Wednesday night's game-winner by San Jose defenseman Gary Suter, a what-the-hell slap shot from the St. Louis blue line at 11:23 of the third period, had more hang time than Michael Jordan.

"It was a knuckleball," said Suter, who scored only six regular-season goals and now has two in the playoffs. "It kind of dipped, hit the ice and bounced two feet to the right."

Goalie Roman Turek, who could eat his stick at this point, never had a chance.

"They're a lot of ugly goals for us, but they're in," said Marco Sturm, who staked the Sharks to a 1-0 advantage on another goofy goal, whiffing in front of the net after a shot by teammate Mike Rathje, the puck bouncing off his leg past Turek. "Everybody works hard for 60 minutes. Who cares how bad the goals are?"

St. Louis coach Joel Quenneville sent a message to his team by scratching 16th-year veteran Stephane Richer, who aside from scoring a second-game goal had been mostly invisible. Clearly, Quenneville expected more from his players, notably team captain Chris Pronger, who managed one goal in the first three games and led the team is penalty minutes (20), and whining. Turgeon had also been ineffective, contributing one assist and only two shots on goal.

Compounding Quenneville's dilemma was the absence of leading scorer Pavol Demitra, who missed his fourth game in a row with a concussion. He might be available for Game 7 ... if St. Louis lasts that long.

Much like Monday night's win, San Jose came out loose and focused, fully aware that the explosive Blues were capable of clicking any time. Early on, the pesky, disciplined Sharks gave them few opportunities, out-hitting, out-hustling and out-playing St. Louis.

Coming into the series, Turek received more publicity than San Jose counterpart Steve Shields and rightfully so. Turek shined during the regular season as the Blues posted the best record in the NHL, while Shields had good moments but was inconsistent, partly because of injuries to his defensemen.

For all his success, the untested Turek had zero playoff experience and it began to show. After allowing fluke goals in Game 2 and Game 3, he followed Pronger's lead and cried instead of shutting his trap and swallowing hard.

"I think every goal they've scored has been a lucky goal," he said after Monday night's 2-1 loss.

Craig Conroy lays on the ice after being flattened by the Sharks.(AP)

Informed of the comments, San Jose players didn't bite, perhaps fearful of spoiling their good karma. Having already thrown uptight St. Louis off its game, players said all the right things, insisting they were fortunate to own a 2-1 and that the series was far from over.

While there is no question the Blues have superior talent, San Jose has countered with size, effort and extra passes -- often absorbing punishment in the process. For the most part, the Sharks have patrolled their own zone like they were protecting loved ones and continually disrupted St. Louis' usually effective line recycling.

Considering San Jose hadn't led a post-season series since 1995, when it upset favored Calgary in seven games, Wednesday's charged-up sellout crowd of more than 17,000 at San Jose Arena wasn't sure what to expect. Were the Sharks playing over their heads and treading on thin ice? Or were they for real?

It didn't take long to find out. After a sluggish start, the hits started coming and so did San Jose. The scrappy Sharks didn't allow a shot for nearly 13 minutes and took the lead on Sturm's first playoff goal with 6:08 remaining.

San Jose upped its cushion to 2-0 on Mike Ricci's goal at 18:23 of the second period and had the Blues on the ropes. They barely averted a 3-0 deficit and had Turek on his heels when Quenneville called timeout at 15:47 to help his players regroup, and it nearly saved the game.

After allowing only three goals in the previous two games and stopping 31 of 32 shots Monday night, Shields surrendered two in a 30-second span. Jochen Hecht notched the first, his third of the series on a power play after a marginal holding penalty on Sturm. Mike Eastwood quickly tied the score, the fans suddenly falling silent.

Somehow, the Sharks staved off further damage.

"They had us on our heels," said Tony Granato. "For the first time, they lulled us to sleep. That was important to get to the dressing room 2-2."

St. Louis kept the heat on early in the third period and almost everyone in the building knew a Blues' goal would likely change the game and the series. Only it never came. Until Suter's improbable blast, San Jose had mustered only two shots.

"It was a roller-coaster out there," Jeff Friesen said.

Once again the Sharks were out-shot (27-19), but made the most of their chances. They continue to lead a charmed life and are one victory away from the unthinkable.

"Sometimes in the playoffs, that's what it comes down to," Suter said. "Especially when you're playing a great team like St. Louis."