After three easy victories, the visiting Detroit Red Wings found themselves in a dogfight in Game 4 of their first-round playoff matchup with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

But, the defending Stanley Cup champions saved up one last bit of magic — and got some help from a controversial call.

Johan Franzen scored on a power play with 46.6 seconds left, giving the Red Wings a 6-5 victory and a series sweep last night.

The call that led to the man advantage was hotly disputed by the Blue Jackets, who were assessed a bench minor for having too many men on the ice. Replays showed that Fredrik Modin came on the ice and handled the puck while Jake Voracek was still a few feet from the bench.

Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock said it was a picky call.

"By the rulebook, it's probably the right call. By the circumstances of the game, I didn't like the call. ... Unless it's obvious, let's play," said Hitchcock.

In other first-round games, visiting Philadelphia beat Pittsburgh, 3-0, to force a Game 6; Martin Brodeur tied Patrick Roy's NHL record for playoff shutouts, making 44 saves to help host New Jersey take a 3-2 lead with a 1-0 victory over Carolina, and host Anaheim beat West top-seed San Jose, 4-0, to take a 3-1 lead.

COLLEGE HOOPS

CURRY TO TRY NBA

Davidson guard Stephen Curry will skip his senior season and take his sweet shooting stroke to the NBA.

After weeks struggling to decide, the nation's leading scorer with a 28.6 average, announced yesterday that he'll enter the NBA draft, where he could be a lottery pick.

UNC DUO LEAVING

North Carolina juniors Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington will enter the NBA draft, ending their college careers a few weeks after leading the Tar Heels to the national championship.

Lawson and Ellington announced their plans at a news conference yesterday.

UCONN FROSH GOING

Connecticut freshman Ater Majok, whose name has come up in recruiting allegations against the school, has declared for the NBA draft.

Majok, a 6-foot-10 forward, says he won't hire an agent and intends to get feedback from the NBA. He has until June 15 to withdraw his name and retain his eligibility.

TENNIS

NADAL ADVANCES

Rafael Nadal breezed to his 23rd straight victory on clay yesterday, beating Christophe Rochus of Belgium, 6-2, 6-0, in the third round of the Barcelona Open in Spain.

The top-ranked Spaniard is looking to win a fifth straight Godo trophy in Barcelona. He got one step closer when quarterfinal opponent David Nalbandian withdrew with a right hip injury later yesterday.

AND WHAT'S MORE

Chester "Chet" Herbert, a member of the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame who helped develop an exhaust header that blew smoke away from a dragster's rear tires to improve traction, died yesterday in Orange County, Calif. He was 81. ... Calgary Flames forward Andre Roy has been suspended one game and fined $2,5000 by the NHL after initiating contact with Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Aaron Johnson during pre-game warmups Wednesday night.