Mattias Norstrom's rare goal lifts Stars over Sharks 4-2 in rough regular-season finale

Dallas Stars defenseman Mattias Norstrom doesn't mind rough-and-tumble games, especially when he scores the winning goal.

Norstrom's rare goal put his team ahead for good late in the second period as Dallas rallied to beat the San Jose Sharks 4-2 on Sunday in a physical NHL regular-season finale that included 160 penalty minutes, 95 for the Sharks.

The game meant nothing to either team in terms of the final standings, but a physical tone was set early with a series of fights that contributed to a playoff feel.

"Once in a while a game like that is fun," Norstrom said. "We showed we're professionals and have personal pride. We weren't going to take it easy on them and they did the same. We both showed up to battle."

Dallas erased a 2-0 deficit on goals by Antti Miettinen, Stu Barnes and Norstrom in the final 10 minutes of the second period.

With the game tied at 2 and the Stars with an extra attacker on a delayed Sharks penalty, Norstrom fired Toby Petersen's cross-ice pass into an open net with 13 seconds remaining in the second period for Norstrom's second goal of the season and 18th in 14 seasons.

"It was a great pass by Toby to set me up," the Swede said. "We didn't have a lot going for us early, but coming back from two goals down, it's great to have that character in our team."