DETROIT (AP); Like Great Whites circling their prey the San Jose Sharks seemed poised for the kill after taking both games 2 and 3 of their CCHL Finals series versus the Detroit Red Wings.

In Game 2 in San Jose the Sharks spotted the Wings a 2-0 advantage before roaring back and collecting six of the next seven goals and crusing to a 6-3 victory. T.J. Galardi led the offensive charge with three goals on the night, including the game winner in the third that broke a 3-3 tie and sent the Sharks off to Detroit with thoughts of a possible sweep swimming in their heads.

As the series shifted back to Motown for Game 3 the Wings were desperate to climb back into the series, but thanks to some shaky defensive play found themselves down 3-0 halfway through the contest. A Daniel Cleary goal early in the third would pull them within two and give life to the home crowd but the Sharks squashed any comeback hopes with two Logan Couture goals to push the advantage up to 5-1. A closing rally by the Wings was too little, too late and the Sharks skated off with a 5-3 win and a three games to none stranglehold on the series with a possible Cup winning Game 4 on tap for tomorrow night here in Joe Louis Arena.

FINAL THOUGHTS....Joe Thornton was the offensive star of Game 3 with four assists. Wing D Man Ian White returned in Game 3 after being helped off midway through Game 2 with a lower body injury...The trio of Havlat-Couture-Thornton owned the Wings in Game 3, posting a collective 10 points and a +9 rating.

CCHL 17 Season Finals under way.