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Staal nets pair as Hurricanes topple Lightning

Oct 12, 2008 - 4:15 AM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Eric Staal scored the tying goal midway through the third period and the game-winner with 24 seconds remaining in overtime as the Carolina Hurricanes overcame an early three-goal deficit to record a 4-3 triumph over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday in a battle of Southeast Division rivals.

Captain Rod Brind'Amour and Matt Cullen each scored for the second consecutive game for Carolina, which overcame a 3-0 deficit midway through the second period to record its second victory in as many days.

After signing an 11-year contract extension in the summer, captain Vincent Lecavalier netted his first goal of the season to give the Lightning a 3-0 advantage 9:01 into the second.

Veteran Mark Recchi and defenseman Janne Niskala also tallied and defenseman Jamie Heward had two assists for Tampa Bay (0-2-1), which lost its third straight one-goal decision to start the season. The Lightning dropped a pair of 2-1 contests to the New York Rangers in Prague, Czech Republic last weekend.

"We stopped doing the things we were doing in the first two periods. That is the gist of it," Tampa Bay coach Barry Melrose said. "We quit doing the things we talked about."

With overtime winding down, Ray Whitney carried the puck into the offensive zone on a 2-on-1 rush before feeding Staal, who quickly unleashed a shot that sailed past goaltender Mike Smith for the winning tally.

"It was nice to come back and show character again," Staal said. "We just got after them and attacked and attacked. That is the type of game we play, and that is the type of game we need to play for a full 60 minutes. Tonight it was enough, and it was a good win."

Staal had leveled the contest midway through the third period. After receiving a cross-slot feed from defenseman Dennis Seidenberg, the All-Star blasted a shot past Smith at 9:56 for his first of the season.

Irate, the animated Smith repeatedly smashed his stick over the crossbar in disgust following the goal.

"It is a disheartening loss," Smith said. "You have to play 60 minutes, and until we start figuring out how to do that, we're not going to win very many hockey games."

Brind'Amour got Carolina on the scoreboard by tallying with nine seconds remaining in the second period, and Cullen drew the Hurricanes within 3-2 just 1:56 into the third. Both goals came on the power play.

"After Carolina got back in it, we could never get the momentum we needed back," Lecavalier said. "They did a good job of taking advantage of our penalties."

After Recchi opened the scoring 8:20 into the first period, Niskala doubled the advantage just 2:07 later with his first career NHL goal. The 27-year-old Swede accepted a centering pass from Vaclav Prospal and blasted a shot past netminder Michael Leighton and inside the left goalpost.

"I am not real happy with the way we started the game, but the biggest thing is how you finish, and I liked the way we finished tonight," Carolina coach Peter Laviolette said.

The finish left something to be desired for Melrose.

"I am very sorry we didn't play better for the fans," Melrose said.