DETROIT -- Shouts of agony ended a long, nervous night for Detroit Red Wings fans, whose hopes of a Stanley Cup victory were dashed by a triple-overtime loss at home to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Video: Jon Burton & Guy Junker's Video Blog From Detroit

Fans at Mr. B's Pub in the Detroit suburb of Royal Oak let out a collective groan, then quietly filed outside, where police had put up tape to keep people on the sidewalk.

No one seemed interested in challenging the officers on the street, and within 15 minutes, it looked like an ordinary Monday night.

Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury "outplayed our entire team. They always say goaltending wins Cups. Goaltending won this game," said Michigan State University student Tim Maxwell, 21.

But at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, the mood was completely different. About 4,000 people who had paid $5 admission -- a donation to the Mario Lemieux Foundation -- went wild when they saw Petr Sykora's game-winning goal on the Jumbotron.
Video: Fans Celebrate Game 5 Win

"It was the most unbelievable experience of my life," Penguins fan Mike Erstfield said. "Absolutely crazy."

"Oh my god, I'm so excited for Game 6 right now," Penguins fan Abbie Hale said.

The crowd at Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit had already begun dissipating when a light rain started to fall. As the rain intensified, and once the Penguins had won the game, local bars emptied out rapidly.

"It should have already been won," said Mike Kemp of Detroit. "Now I'm scared. I don't want to see it go to a Game 6, and I don't want to see it go to a Game 7."

Of course, Pittsburgh fans felt differently. Some were already lining up outside Mellon Arena at 6 a.m. Tuesday -- just five hours after the end of Game 5 -- waiting for Game 6 tickets to go on sale.

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Fans Are Talking Online, Too

Here's what you're saying about the Pittsburgh-Detroit series on ThePittsburghChannel.com's message board:

sandee says, "Got to give the "Young Guns" some credit for sticking it out and playing tuff! The Wings have to be worn out today, but the "Young Guns" will come back a lot sooner than the Wings. GO GET THEM "PENS" ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT!!!!! We will all be behind you!!!!

HOCKEYGMA says, "Pens fans are the greatest. They are behind their team if they are at home or away. Let's go PENS!"

tomd8995 says, "Where were all you diehard loyal fans four years ago before the arrival of syndi crosby? (and no, i didnt spell it wrong). on may 24th, the city of Detroit put 40,000 people into a sold out Comerica park, 21,000 people into a sold out Palace, and 20,000 into a sold out Joe Louis arena. TOP THAT Steel City."

Cherpens says, "Win or Lose, they are number one in my book. Nothing like PENS FANS, we are indeed the greatest and most loyal. We will support them every season. Love Ya Sid!"

UNCLELARRY says, "The Pittsburgh Zoo welcomes all octopi donations. They will be cleaned and processed into penguin food."

PanthersFB says, "Let's Go Pens! I'm outnumbered here in Michigan (about 45 miles north of Detroit) but my Pens flag is flying proudly."

deb56ster says, "As a Pens fan, you learn to never give up, never quit. And just remember what happened the last time a Pittsburgh sports team (Steelers) went to Detroit. If memory serves, I believe it went down as a WIN. Go Pens!"

You can add your comments here.

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