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Bergeron's goal lifts Bruins past Hurricanes

Feb 2, 2011 - 5:03 AM Raleigh, NC (Sports Network) - Tim Thomas stopped 24-of-26 shots and Patrice Bergeron notched the winning goal during a two-goal burst in the third period as Boston clipped Carolina, 3-2, at RBC Center.

"We just found a way to win against a team that's trying to get a playoff spot," Thomas said. "They played good, and we played pretty good defensively. We went into the third and found a way to win."

Daniel Paille and Nathan Horton also hit the net for the Bruins, who began their post All-Star slate with their eighth win in 11 contests.

Jamie McBain and Joe Corvo tallied for the Hurricanes, who began the back end of their schedule having a two-game win streak snapped.

Cam Ward allowed three goals on 33 shots in defeat.

Horton notched his second goal in 21 games at the 3:54 mark of the third period, redirecting a David Krejci feed between Ward's pads for a 2-1 Boston lead.

Bergeron extended the edge to 3-1 only 72 seconds later when his floating shot from the right point beat an unscreened Ward.

The 'Canes responded on a power play at 8:05 with Corvo's point blast, but Thomas upheld the one-goal advantage with several acrobatic saves with roughly three minutes remaining.

"It's hard to come back down two goals in the third, especially against a team like Boston," said Samsonov. "They don't give you a lot to begin with, and being down by two in the third you really have to do something special."

After a scoreless first period which saw Thomas stop 10 shots and Ward put the brakes on 15 chances, Paille's first goal of the season staked the Bruins to a 1-0 lead at 4:14 of the second period.

Carolina finally knotted the score with 8:35 left in the period when McBain managed to get his stick on a rolling shot from Sergei Samsonov at the left post.

Game Notes

Boston won three of four over Carolina this season and have taken 10 of the 12 matchups since the start of the 2008-09 campaign...Paille's last goal occurred on April 10 against Carolina...Horton's last tally came on January 3 at Toronto...Samsonov and Erik Cole notched two assists for Carolina.