Calgary, AB (Sports Network) - Joe Thornton's deflection goal with 9.4 seconds remaining in regulation lifted the San Jose Sharks to a thrilling 3-2 win over the Calgary Flames in Game 4 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series at the Saddledome.

Jonathan Cheechoo brought the Sharks even with his goal at 15:06 of the third before Thornton's game-winner in the final seconds for San Jose, which evened this best-of-seven series. Evgeni Nabokov faced only 10 shots and allowed two goals while Ryane Clowe also scored in the victory.

Jarome Iginla and Dion Phaneuf scored for the Flames, who were five minutes away from a commanding series lead but watched as the visitors rallied with the late comeback. Miikka Kiprusoff made 29 saves in the losing effort.

"San Jose had more desperation in their play than we did," said Calgary head coach Mike Keenan. "We didn't put in the effort throughout the game to put them away when we had the opportunity. They battled back and scored late in the game."

Game 5 is set for Thursday in San Jose.

After Cheechoo's first goal of the series tied the score at 2-2 in the latter stages of the third period, the teams fought for every inch of ice throughout the final minutes. A key icing call on Calgary with 29 seconds remaining in regulation brought the faceoff back to the San Jose offensive zone, and it proved very costly for the Flames.

The Sharks won the faceoff and the puck stayed deep in the zone along the rear boards. Thornton used his patented excellent body positioning along the wall to maintain control and the disc skipped onto the stick of Clowe along the outer rim of the left circle near the half-wall. Clowe then passed into the high slot for Douglas Murray, who released a wrist shot that Thornton deflected home from the top of the crease with 9.4 seconds on the clock.

The Calgary bench was stunned and the crowd headed for the exits as the Sharks captured the critical series-evening victory.

"I thought we played a tremendous game on the road," said Sharks coach Ron Wilson. "I can't ask for anything more from our team. Joe found a way. I'm very proud of him and our team."

After Iginla's second postseason goal 3:19 into the game opened the scoring, the Sharks knotted the contest with a power-play tally midway through the second.

With Craig Conroy in the penalty box for hooking, the Sharks worked the puck around the perimeter until Patrick Marleau held control at the centerpoint. Marleau then released a wrister that Clowe deflected into the back of the cage at the 10:56 mark.

The Flames, though, regained their lead with 1:31 remaining before the second intermission. Iginla won a faceoff inside the right circle and the puck was drawn back to the near point for Phaneuf, who drifted along the blue line and sent a wrist shot toward the net. The puck deflected off the glove of San Jose's Brian Campbell and flew past a fooled Nabokov.

Throughout the third period Kiprusoff was strong and made several key saves, but with time winding down, he failed to correctly take away a routine angle and it led to San Jose's second goal. Joe Pavelski poked the puck loose along the rear boards and it caromed toward Cheechoo, whose one-timer from a sharp angle along the lower rim of the right circle beat Kiprusoff to the near side with 4:54 to play in regulation.

"We knew all along it was going to be tough series," said Kiprusoff. "And now (after this loss), that's what it is. We have to play our best and outwork them."