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Cole tallies game-winner as Hurricanes top Capitals

Sep 16, 2007 - 11:06 PM RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) -- The Carolina Hurricanes scored three power-play goals to cap a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.

Carolina left wing Erik Cole scored his goal of the game during a five-on-three advantage with 47.2 seconds remaining in overtime period to secure the preseason victory at the RBC Center.

In addition to a two-man advantage during the game-winning sequence, the Hurricanes also benefited from the fact that Capitals' left wing David Steckel lost his stick.

The Capitals gained the early edge, as Mike Green scored in the opening period and Nicklas Backstrom added a power-play tally in the second.

The team's first-round draft pick in 2006, Backstrom is a player the team is looking to for some added offensive punch.

The Hurricanes rallied back with two third-period power-play goals by Noah Babin and Cole. Babin's goal came on a rebound when teammate Eric Staal's shot bounced off Washington goalie Michal Neuvirth. Cole later took a pass from Stall and backhanded it into the net.

The closing minutes of the third period proved to be exciting as both teams scored late goals.

Washington's Ben Clymer scored 17:57 into the period and Carolina's Justin Williams answered with just one minute remaining in regulation to force overtime.

A number of Hurricanes' regulars sat out the opening preseason game, including team captain Rod Brind'Amour, defenseman Glen Wesley, defenseman Bred Hedican, center Matt Cullen and left wing Ray Whitney.

Washington sensation Alexander Ovechkin also sat out, along with center Viktor Kozlov, left wing Alexander Semin and center Michael Nylander.