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Whitney scores in debut as Ward, Hurricanes blank Preds

Oct 5, 2008 - 9:46 PM RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Ray Whitney scored in his preseason debut and Cam Ward made 31 saves Sunday afternoon, pacing the Carolina Hurricanes to a 2-0 exhibition victory over the Nashville Predators.

Whitney, who had been nursing a knee injury, scored off a rebound of Patrick Eaves' shot at 7:19 of the final period to snap a scoreless tie.

Nashville's goaltender Dan Ellis failed to secure Eaves' backhander, and the puck trickled into the high slot to Whitney, who ripped a wrister to make it 1-0.

Whitney's goal was more than enough for Ward, who turned aside 14 shots in the first period, nine in the second and eight in the third. The 2006 Conn Smythe Trophy winner improved to 2-2-0 this preseason.

Carolina's Eric Staal provided the final margin with an empty-net goal at 19:56 of the third period.

Tim Gleason added an assist for the Hurricanes, who saw veteran center Rod Brind'Amour make his preseason debut. Brind'Amour, who is recovering from offseason knee surgery, played just over 15 minutes.

Ellis stopped 26 shots over the final two periods after replacing starter Pekka Rinne, who turned aside all nine shots he faced in the opening session.