Whether or not you closely follow the National Hockey League, you'd have to be dead from the mid-chest upward not to be excited by these Stanley Cup Finals. Some of the most exciting hockey in NHL playoff history was played June 2 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. And, an improbable ascent by a very young team just became much more possible. On Monday night, a seemingly impenetrable Detroit team was 35 seconds away from a decisive 4-1 series win and fourth Cup in 11 years, achieved with smothering defense and flawless goaltending. But a net-bound flurry by Pittsburgh resulted in a rebound and stuff in the side of the goal past Chris Osgood, uncharacteristically giving up his third goal of the game - he had previously averaged a one goal allowance in the first four games. That would send the game into overtime, but no one could have predicted the course of the OT(s). Of course, Detroit had their chances to close out the game in regulation. The Red Wings had nearly twice the shots-on-goal as the Penguins, 38-18 in the first three periods. Even in overtime, when the teams play much more tentatively on offensive lest they give up a chance at the other end of the ice, Detroit far outshot Pittsburgh, 24-14. And, we are here talking about THREE overtime periods. Yes, the game didn't end until 9:57 of the third OT. In the first two OT periods play was tight and careful, but Detroit committed two key errors leading to penalties that they luckily killed off. A second OT penalty on the Penguins resulted in few Detroit chances. But 9:21 into the third overtime, Detroit was called for high-sticking, a four-minute penalty as opposed to most two-minute minor penalties. Then, 36 seconds later, 31-year old Czech-born lefty Petr Sykora of the Penguins wristed in a shot off Osgood's left side sending the series to a minimum of six games. Perhaps Sykora's ability to shoot left from the right side of the ice threw off Osgood. Regardless, an incredibly well-played, exciting, and unlikely game ended nearly five hours after it began. To NHL fans, this series represents many things - the tireless overwhelming machine that is the Detroit Red Wings versus the upstart, young, quick Pittsburgh Penguins. To lay fans, it can conjure other comparisons - The Motor City vs. Steel Town - two working class cities with hardworking players muscling for position on the ice, making every moment count. Certainly, since the 1950s, Detroit and Pittsburgh have both undergone radical changes, with their teams symbolizing the hope of a new century. This isn't the Yankees vs. the Dodgers nor the Lakers vs. the Celtics. Yet here they are, battling for hockey's top trophy. If you haven't tuned in yet, Wednesday's game in Pittsburgh is sure to be one of the most riveting in some time. You'll see the amazingly fluid heads-up play of Penguin captain Sidney Crosby, all of 20, and their even quicker 23-year-old goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. On the Detroit side, you'll likely see the tireless 35-year-old Chris Osgood again in goal. He has played all of Detroit's games and despite the nearly six periods of play Monday will surely start Wednesday's game although being played less than 48 hours after game five, which ended early Tuesday morning will proably leave Osgood more tired than usual. You will also see the amazing scorer Henrik Zetterberg and the superb defense of Nicklas Lidstrom. To reiterate, whether or not you know the players or game very well, tune in on Wednesday to witness the aftermath of one of the truly great games in hockey's playoff history. With Detroit only 35 seconds from a Cup on Monday, they will be eager to redirect the momentum of the series and close it out in Pittsburgh. However, don't count out the Penguins, whose tenacity has brought them within one more win of a seven-game series.