WRAL Sports Fan

Hurricanes

Hurricanes top Tampa Bay 3-2

Jan 3, 2009

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -Joni Pitkanen and Justin Williams each had a goal and an assist, and the Carolina Hurricanes rallied from an early two-goal deficit for a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night.

Chad LaRose also scored for the Hurricanes, who have won three straight and 7 of 10.

The Lightning got goals from Ryan Craig and Vinny Prospal. Tampa Bay has lost three in a row and 20 of 25.

Carolina took its first lead, at 3-2, on Pitkanen's goal from the left point at 6:21 of the second.

Tampa Bay converted two Carolina turnovers into a pair of goals 1 minute, 36 seconds apart by Craig (5:05) and Prospal (6:41) for a 2-0 first-period lead.

The Hurricanes tied it later in the first on goals by Williams, during a power play at 14:46, and LaRose 1:11 later.

Tampa Bay defenseman Andrej Meszaros left in the final minute of the second after being cut on the face by Anton Babchuk's shot.

Lightning left wing Ryan Malone blocked a shot by Sergei Samsonov when Tampa Bay goalie Mike Smith was caught out of position after making an errant pass 9 minutes into the game.