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BOX SCORE
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – Winning in the third period has made
Carolina's most physically demanding stretch of the season easier
to deal with.
Shane Willis scored twice, including the winning goal 3:18 into
the final period, as the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the
injury-riddled New Jersey Devils 3-2 on Friday night.
It was the third time in six days the Hurricanes have closed out
a win in the final period. The team's stretch of five games in
seven days ends at home Saturday night against Washington, which
has an 11-game unbeaten streak.
"I will say there was some confidence in the room, I could feel
that," Carolina coach Paul Maurice said of the mood heading out
for the final 20 minutes tied 2-2. "We knew we had not played very
well.
"We looked like we were dragging, especially in the first two
periods," Maurice added. "We were really worried about this
stretch and worried about this month. We're not real sharp right
now, but we're finding ways to win and that's important."
Willis, coming off his first career hat trick two days ago
against Atlanta, opened the scoring for Carolina late in the first
period. Then he ripped his 17th of the season over the glove of
Martin Brodeur after taking a drop pass in the high slot from David
Tanabe for the deciding score.
The two goals moved Willis past Tampa Bay's Brad Richards for
the most among rookies.
Arturs Irbe had to make two saves in the final 10.7 seconds to
secure the win after the Devils won two faceoffs in the Hurricanes'
end.
"The boys played the best last 10 minutes I have seen us play
since I've been with this franchise," said Irbe, in his third
season with Carolina. "They held their position with a one-goal
lead and we held back a good team. It was a real pretty sight."
The win put the Hurricanes two points ahead of Boston for the
eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins
lost in overtime at Dallas later Friday.
Meanwhile, the defending Stanley Cup champions fell to 7-12 in
one-goal games.
The Devils played without five of their top players, who have
combined for 93 goals and 229 points. The injured list included
leading scorer Alexander Mogilny (abdomen), Scott Gomez (back),
Petr Sykora (shoulder), Jason Arnott (back) and Sergei Brylin
(knee).
"We worked hard, but we didn't have a lot of firepower out
there," Brodeur said. "It seems like one goal is the difference
every night for us right now."
New Jersey coach Larry Robinson was upset his team was called
for eight minor penalties and the Hurricanes had just one.
"I'm just lost," Robinson said. "I am so frustrated about it
that it's not even worth commenting about. I know we weren't very
disciplined on at least a couple of penalties, but not to the tune
of 8-1."
Carolina led 2-1 after one period, but gave up its NHL-worst
13th shorthanded goal in the second. Just seconds after Tanabe came
out of the box, Patrik Elias deflected a shot from the point by
Colin White for his 22nd of the season to tie it.
The Devils, who have struggled on offense the past two weeks,
jumped on top 1:59 in on John Madden's 18th. But the Hurricanes
added a pair of power-play goals in a span of 51 seconds late in
the period to pull ahead.
Willis poked in a rebound to tie it 1-1 with Mike Jefferson off
for roughing.
Brodeur was then fooled on Glen Wesley's shot from the blue
line, with Jefferson, making his NHL debut, in the penalty box
again, this time for hooking.
"We've got to keep getting the puck to Willy, because he's
seeing the net really well," Wesley said of Willis. "He's also
playing with a lot of confidence right now."
Game notes
Rod Brind'Amour's assist on Carolina's first goal gave
him 26 points in his last 22 games. ... New Jersey defenseman Ken
Daneyko has now gone 35 straight games without a point. ... The
Devils, the top scoring team in the Eastern Conference, have just
five goals in their last five games.
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
New Jersey Clubhouse
Carolina Clubhouse
Devils' Brylin to have orthoscopic surgery on right knee
Struggling Devils pick up center Corkum from Kings
RECAPS
Phoenix 7
Buffalo 3
Carolina 3
New Jersey 2
Washington 3
Montreal 1
Pittsburgh 6
NY Rangers 4
Detroit 4
St. Louis 2
Chicago 1
Atlanta 0
Dallas 5
Boston 4
Colorado 4
Minnesota 1
San Jose 3
Anaheim 1
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