Ducks force decider

Kariya was motionless for about a minute

Stanley Cup finals in photos

Anaheim beat New Jersey 5-2 to force a deciding game in the Stanley Cup.

Going into game six of the best-of-seven series, the Devils led 3-2 but the Mighty Ducks have now drawn level again and the finals will now head back East for the title decider on Monday, 9 June.

Steve Rucchin scored two goals and Paul Kariya added another and claimed two assists.

It was sweet revenge for Kariya who had earlier been flattened by a vicious check by Scott Stevens.

Although no penalty was called, Kariya lay motionless on the ice for about a minute until he was helped to the Anaheim bench.

However, he delighted the 17,000-strong crowd at the Arrowhead Pond when he returned to blast a slap shot over the right shoulder of Devils' goalie Martin Brodeur to make it 4-1 to the Ducks.

Rucchin's goals both came in the first period as Anaheim built a 3-0 lead.

His shot from the blue line 4:26 into the game went in off defenseman Scott Stevens and then at 13:42, he converted a wrist shot inside the left post.

Steve Thomas added a powerplay goal and Petr Sykora also scored for the Mighty Ducks while Jay Pandolfo and Grant Marshall replied for New Jersey.

The extra game gives New Jersey a chance to break a tie for most home wins in the play-offs in one season.

Both they and the 1988 Edmonton Oilers have won 11 times at home.

Despite taking the game to a decider, history is not on Anaheim's side.

The Ducks are poor travellers against Devils and are 0-9 in New Jersey since 11 February, 1996.