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Thomas, Lucic lead Bruins over Hurricanes

Jan 19, 2011 - 4:43 AM Raleigh, NC (Sports Network) - Tim Thomas stopped 43-of-45 shots and Milan Lucic notched the game winner on a third-period power play as Boston clipped Carolina, 3-2, in the back end of a home-and-home set at RBC Center.

"When all those shots started to add up in the second, I was aware of it, because physically, I could feel it," said Thomas."

Johnny Boychuk and Brad Marchand also tallied for the Bruins, who won 7-0 in Boston on Monday and have taken five of six overall.

Jussi Jokinen and Chad LaRose scored for the Hurricanes, who displayed more spirit and better play than in that blowout loss but have dropped three of four.

Cam Ward allowed three goals on 28 shots for the loss.

Marchand put Boston ahead at 3:55 of the third period when he backhanded a rebound of Zdeno Chara's left-point shot by Ward, but LaRose knotted the game at 9:19 when he managed to shovel a loose puck past Thomas.

However, Lucic gave the B's a one-goal edge once again with 8:11 left in regulation. Mark Recchi carried the puck down the left-wing side near the boards, and appeared to want to move around the net, but dished into the slot where Lucic one-timed a shot home.

Ward was pulled twice inside the final 90 seconds, but the 'Canes failed to equalize.

Jokinen was sent off for tripping only 17 seconds after the opening faceoff, and the Bruins made him pay at 2:04 when Boychuk wound up from the right point and hit the net high and inside the left post.

Carolina evened the game with 1:21 to play in the first, as Eric Staal forced a pass through the crease that Jokinen tapped in from the left side.

Both teams had multiple quality chances, rushes, and close calls in the second period but it remained a 1-1 game thanks to the acrobatics of Thomas and Ward.

Boston's goaler stopped 19 shots and Carolina's netminder needed nine saves in a scoreless middle 20 minutes.

"It was probably our best first two periods in a while," said Hurricanes head coach Paul Maurice. "You give up seven goals, your defense is going to tighten up. I thought by the third we were starting to feel it, but we just didn't have enough in the tank."

Game Notes

Boston has won two of three meetings with Carolina this season and nine of the last 11 since the start of the 2008-09 season...Thomas improved to 7-0-3 in his last 10 starts...Recchi added two assists for the Bruins...Both teams play on Thursday with Carolina hosting the Rangers and Boston entertaining the Sabres.