Marty Turco has been a lot like his team this season – embattled.

The Stars goalie has fought ups and downs, playoff demons, and critics who want more – and he has overcome most challenges.

But the one poltergeist that has chased him throughout his career comes dressed in red, so it was particularly sweet for Turco and his teammates when they beat the Detroit Red Wings, 3-1, Wednesday night in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals at American Airlines Center.

Turco pushed his career record against Detroit to 3-13-5 and became the first goalie since Ed Belfour in 1998 to beat the Red Wings when they had the chance to eliminate an opponent (a run of 12 consecutive wins).

"He's played phenomenal hockey against every team in the league, but for some reason, Detroit hasn't been on his list," center Steve Ott said.

"And tonight, he proved to himself and he proved to us boys in here that it doesn't matter who he faces. He's the same guy and the same goalie, and he's just a great, great competitor."

The Stars said they proved a lot to themselves with the victory. Yes, they are still facing a daunting task of coming back against the Red Wings with a 3-1 series deficit. Yes, they head up to Joe Louis Arena on Saturday – a place where Turco has never won in the NHL. Yes, they grabbed a huge break when officials disallowed a Pavel Datsyuk goal in the second period.

But the Stars say they were put in a tough situation and responded. Loui Eriksson scored with 22.7 seconds left in the second period on a drive to the net to give Dallas its first lead of the series. But that lead lasted only 49 seconds into the third period, when Henrik Zetterberg whipped a shot past Turco's glove to tie the score.

In past games, that would have been enough to break the Stars' back. In this one, it strengthened their resolve.

"We just weren't going to give up, that's all there was to it," defenseman Stephane Robidas said. "We didn't know if we would win or lose, but we weren't going to give up."

Dallas, applying the desperate pressure of a team backed to the elimination wall, drew a tripping penalty on Brian Rafalski and scored on the ensuing power play.

Mike Modano scored from the slot to give the Stars and their fans life.

"When you're in the situation we are, where there's no tomorrow, you might as well keep playing," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "It's that little extra desire in the third period. You just love to see that ... the character of the group."

This time, the Stars kept the lead and even expanded upon it. Brenden Morrow added his ninth goal of the playoffs with a wrister from the slot, and the Stars had their fans – and themselves – believing.

Still, there was one more challenge to bat away, and that fell in Turco's lap. Morrow and Modano each took penalties in the final three minutes, and Dallas had to kill a 6-on-3 after Detroit pulled its goalie.

Turco ran his save total up to 33 as he shut the door.

"You lose, you go home ... it's going to be like that for a while," Turco said. "Going back to Detroit ... it's nothing short of an exciting challenge for all of us, and for me personally."