Hurricanes 3 - 2 Lightning
Final
  for this game

Tlusty, Hurricanes dodge Lightning

Apr 22, 2013 - 4:59 AM Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - Jiri Tlusty scored a pair of goals and the Carolina Hurricanes held off the Tampa Bay Lightning, 3-2.

Alexander Semin had a goal and two assists for the Hurricanes, who snapped a three-game skid. Dan Ellis made 35 saves.

"They've had our number recently, but the guys have been playing so hard and we've been pleased with their effort," Carolina coach Kirk Muller said. "We got off track last night and wanted to get back on track, and thanks to tonight, we did."

Martin St. Louis had a goal and an assist for the Lightning, who have dropped six straight. Steven Stamkos also lit the lamp.

Anders Lindback stopped 25-of-28 shots in defeat.

The Hurricanes scored the first three goals of the contest, including the first just 16 seconds into the game. Semin found the back of the net following a behind-the-net feed from Eric Staal.

Tlusty's first goal of the contest came at the 10:45 mark of the first period as his attempted pass from the left circle deflected off the skate of Victor Hedman and snuck past Lindback.

Tlusty lit the lamp again with 1:14 to go. Ryan Malone was unable to gather a rebound off Staal's shot, which allowed Tlusty to push the puck across the goal line.

"I don't know what it is with us in the first period," Hedman said. "We always battle back, which is the good part, but we would rather be up a few goals instead of behind."

Tampa struck back while on the power play at the 10:07 mark of the middle stanza. Stamkos' one-timer from the top of the left circle, his 28th of the season, cut the hosts' gap to 3-1.

St. Louis' backhander got past Ellis at the 2:16 mark of the third. However, Lindback wasn't pulled for an extra skater until seconds remained to no avail.

Ellis stopped 15 shots in the third to preserve the victory.

Game Notes

Tampa Bay took four of five from Carolina this season ... Carolina defenseman Tim Gleason left the ice late in the third period after being cross-checked by Bolts Pierre-Cedric Labrie from the front and B.J. Crombeen from behind ... Staal had two assists for the victors.






Related News