On April 20, 1997, the Dallas Stars appeared to be coasting to victory against the Oilers in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals at Edmonton Coliseum (later Rexall Place). With time winding down in the third period, the Stars led 3-0; Mike Modano and Benoit Hogue had scored in the first period and Joe Nieuwendyk gave Dallas a three-goal lead midway through the second.
RELATED: [Complete Oilers vs. Ducks series coverage]
It looked as if the Oilers were on the way to a loss in their first home playoff game since 1992 after missing the postseason the previous four years.
But the fans got a spark of hope when Doug Weight's backhand went past Dallas goaltender (and former Oilers player) Andy Moog with 4:00 remaining to make it 3-1. Edmonton got a power play 25 seconds later, and Andrei Kovalenko snapped a shot through Moog's pads with 2:16 remaining to make it 3-2. Rookie Mike Grier tied the game 12 seconds later, tipping a shot by defenseman Dan McGillis past Moog to make it 3-3.
The three goals in 1:56 and two goals in 12 seconds set Oilers records.
Kelly Buchberger won it at 9:15 of overtime when he took a drop pass from Mats Lindgren across the Dallas blue line and took a shot that deflected off Dallas defenseman Darryl Sydor and went past Moog. The stunning victory gave the Oilers a 2-1 lead in the best-of-7 series.
The Stars evened the series two nights later, but the historic win became part of an upset victory when the Oilers defeated the Stars 4-3 in overtime to win Game 7.
