But a 6-5 loss to the Red Wings before a sold-out crowd of 18,889 in Nationwide Arena came to a close with debris on the ice, officials ducking for cover and the Blue Jackets steaming mad.

Detroit's Johan Franzen scored the winning goal with 46.6 seconds remaining on a power play made possible by a linesman's call of too many men on the ice against the Blue Jackets.

It's a reach to believe the Jackets would have played their way back into the series after falling behind to the defending Stanley Cup champions 3-0. And there was a certain amount of relief among fans that the Blue Jackets had finally played a game that didn't border on embarrassing.

But this was a salty way to start summer.

"To call that penalty with (1:34 remaining) in an elimination game " Blue Jackets defenseman Mike Commodore said. "I'm not making excuses. We got swept, right? And Detroit outplayed us for the vast majority of the series.

"But to have, basically, a free-for-all the entire third period, and then end it on a call like that? It's a borderline call in the middle of the season, let alone in the playoffs."

Left winger Fredrik Modin was coming onto the ice and took the puck on his stick before Jake Voracek reached the bench.

Official Steve Miller made the call immediately, much to the dismay of Blue Jackets left winger Jason Chimera, who protested vehemently, and much to the dislike of the crowd, many of whom launched bottles onto the ice.

It was a messy way to end a magnificent night of hockey for everyone but the goaltenders.

"It was a wild game," Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash said. "I'm proud of the way we competed."

The Blue Jackets came back from deficits of 1-0, 3-1 and 5-3 to tie the score at 5 on Modin's goal with 1:56 left in the second period.

Kris Russell, R.J. Umberger, Kristian Huselius and Nash also scored for the Blue Jackets, who had managed only two goals -- both by Umberger -- in the first three games.

Finally, the Blue Jackets caught up to the puck, allowing them to check the Red Wings in their zone. Finally, they created scoring chances and found open ice. Finally, Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood looked liked the heavily padded butcher he was during the regular season.

"I am completely proud," Umberger said. "But you hate to lose. It hurts too bad, no matter how it happens."

The third period, played with the score tied, was the kind of hockey that most Jackets fans have never experienced.

It was brutally physical, and breathlessly back and forth. Officials swallowed their whistles for the mayhem that ensued along the walls and in the corners.

And then Modin came over the boards and took the puck in the neutral zone.

The Wings are deadly on the power play, and they looked it on this one.

Franzen followed Jiri Hudler to the net and jammed home a rebound with Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason under a pile of bodies.

"I think the officials had decided to let the players decide the game," Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock said. "I just wish they would have let it finish that way."

The Jackets never led in the series, becoming the first club since the Los Angeles Kings of 2000 to go an entire series without having a lead. Detroit had that sweep, too.

"We were great. Our fans were great. I thought that was our best go, by far, of the series," Nash said. "We proved to ourselves, we proved to the whole city, that we can keep up with them."

aportzline@dispatch.com