WRAL Sports Fan

Hurricanes

Canes score historic win

By Bob Holliday

Feb 22, 2009

The Carolina Hurricanes have beaten the Colorado Avalanche for the first time since they were the Hartford Whalers. Colorado was the only team the Hurricanes had not beaten at the RBC Center. The Canes, who won today 5-2, had not beaten the Avs at home or on the road since 1996-back in their Hartford days.

The day did not start well for the Canes, who gave up a goal in the game's first minute. But Matt Cullen helped jump-start an offense that has struggled lately at home. Cullen scored once in the first period and again in the second period. Joni Pitkanen, who had missed the last two games with an injury, scored the Hurricanes third goal late in the second period, breaking a 2-2 tie.

With the win, the Hurricanes move within one point of the eighth and final playoff spot in the NHL's Eastern Conference.