The 2002 Western Conference Final was a true clash of the titans featuring the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche.

It was the Red Wings who drew first blood in the series, winning 5-3 in Game 1 thanks to a third-period hat trick from Darren McCarty at Joe Louis Arena. However, the Avalanche knotted the series with a Game 2 3-2 OT win; Chris Drury scored the winner.

Game 3 in Denver also went to overtime, and it was a partially deflected shot from veteran defenseman Fredrik Olausson from just inside the blue line that eluded goaltender Patrick Roy: