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Hurricanes outlast Panthers in overtime

Jan 17, 2007 - 5:49 AM SUNRISE, Florida (Ticker) -- No lead is safe for the Florida Panthers against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Justin Williams scored a power-play goal at 3:13 of overtime to lift the Hurricanes to a 3-2 victory over the Panthers.

It was Florida's second crushing loss to Carolina in six days, spoiling a night when the franchise celebrated its 1,000th game.

Last Thursday, the Hurricanes wiped out a 3-0 deficit with a franchise record-tying six goals in the third period of an eventual 6-4 win.

"These are the games that can make or break stride and be a difference in a division race," Williams said. "Championship teams find ways to right the ship when things are not going well. This team is gaining more confidence.

"The close games are the ones you have to win if you want to get to where you want to be."

Williams' game-winner was his 23 goal of the season and 12th in 17 games. He settled the puck in the left faceoff circle and had all day to pick a spot before he rifled a shot over the right shoulder of goaltender Ed Belfour and under the crossbar.

"I found a little hole and fortunately was able to get it past him (Belfour)," Williams said. "It's just one of those situations where there's a lot of open ice and you try to get into position to take the best shot."

The Panthers were 6 1/2 minutes from victory when Erik Cole knotted it at 2-2, whipping a shot by goaltender Ed Belfour.

Cole's tally came 3:18 after Florida appeared to get a favorable ruling on the go-ahead power-play goal with 9:44 to play.

Nathan Horton batted down a puck at the side of the net and stuffed it past Hurricanes netminder John Grahame. The goal was quickly waved off because of a high stick and then allowed upon video replay.

"You have to overcome things like that (controversial goal) and battle through it," Cole said. "You still have to create your own chances in this league and make something happen. We never lost sight of the fact that we were still in the game."

Scott Walker gave Carolina a 1-0 lead with a first-period power-play tally. Taking advantage of a bad carom off the boards, Walker slipped the puck past a surprised Belfour for his 15th goal of the season.

The Panthers went ahead when Olli Jokinen and Norton scored 4:20 apart during the second period. Jokinen also had an assist to extend his points streak to seven games, but it was of little consolation to him.

"That was a very frustrating game. We let it slip away," Jokinen said. "We played hard but in the end it just didn't go our way. We needed the two points badly. These division games are very important, and we got a point but should have been able to put the game away when we had the chance."

Cole forced the extra session, taking a pass in the high slot from Cory Stillman and whistling a shot past Belfour for his 20th goal of the season.

"We had chances early and couldn't get it done," Carolina coach Peter Laviolette said. "They get that (controversial) goal and it changes the game, but to our credit we battled back."