Goalie Kari Lehtonen was at the top of his game and the fourth-liners of Geneva came through to help the Generals win the important fifth game of the Finals series on Friday. Geneva is now one win away from the championship trophy. Game 6 will be played in Copenhagen on Sunday.

Lehtonen stopped 25 shots and allowed just one goal to be named the game’s first star. The visitors from Denmark had more shots on goal (26-24), more hits (26-16) and had 5 powerplay chances to Genava’s two, but penalty killers like Mike Fisher, Darren Helm, Michael Del Zotto and Nic Lidstrom were outstanding for the Generals. The surprising play of Raffi Torres might have made a difference. With second-line winger Ryan Malone going down with an injury after only 7 minutes of ice time, Torres had more of a chance to play and he assisted on the eventual game-winner- a shot by Helm – and on the insurance goal in the third period by Teemu Selanne. Lidstrom scored the first goal of the game in the first period on a powerplay only to have Copenhagen’s Teddy Purcell tie the game early in the second period after Stephen Weiss sent him away on a breakaway. Dennis Wideman of Geneva was a minus 1 on the day but he blocked 4 Copenhagen shots.

Geneva Coach Joel Quenneville said Malone sustained a back injury and will likely not be available for Games 6 and 7, if the last game is necessary. Scottie Upshall, who filled in for Malone 4 games already these playoffs, will be called upon once again, moving Nick Foligno and Torres up the ladder.

Conversely, Copenhagen is suddenly healthier. Defenseman Carl Gunnarsson has the doctor’s OK to return to the lineup and he will probably move either Henrik Tallinder or Keith Ballard to the press box for Game 6.