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Stillman, Grahame help Hurricanes blank Blue Jackets

Sep 28, 2007 - 1:37 AM COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- Cory Stillman scored twice and John Grahame made 23 saves as the Carolina Hurricanes posted a 3-0 preseason victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.

After a scoreless first period, Jeff Hamilton gave Carolina the lead with a 5-on-3 goal midway through the second. With defenseman Rostislav Klesla and Rick Nash in the penalty box, Hamilton received a pass from Eric Staal and beat goaltender Steve Mason to the glove side with a one-timer from the high slot at 10:48.

Stillman doubled the lead at 3:36 of the third, when he stole the puck from Columbus defenseman Duvie Westcott at the blue line and fired a slap shot from the top of the right faceoff circle past Mason.

With 14 seconds to go, Stillman added an empty-netter to cap the scoring.

It was more than enough support for Grahame, who stopped six shots in the first period, seven in the second and 10 in the third for the shutout.

Mason made 18 saves for Columbus.

Carolina finished 1-for-7 on the power play after managing just four shots during four unsuccessful opportunities in the first period.

David Vyborny returned to the lineup for the Blue Jackets, making his first appearance since suffering a sprained knee in the first period of the team's preseason opener.

Sergei Fedorov and captain Adam Foote did not play for Columbus, while Ray Whitney and Rod Brind'Amour were rested by Carolina.

The Hurricanes complete their preseason schedule at home against Columbus on Friday. The Blue Jackets finish their string of exhibition contests Sunday at Nashville.