Hurricanes blow big lead, win in shootout

By Bud L. Ellis

A 5-2 lead disappeared Tuesday night in a span of 10 minutes, but the Carolina Hurricanes were well served by youth in the shootout.

Jeff Skinner, who at 18 years old is the youngest player in the NHL, scored the only goal of the shootout round, as the Hurricanes beat Calgary 6-5 in Raleigh, N.C.

Skinner also finished with an assist for the Hurricanes, who raced to a 5-2 lead. Jussi Jokinen scored two goals and assisted on a third in his first game back from injury. Erik Cole, Tuomo Ruutu and Eric Staal each added a goal for Carolina.

Calgary got goals from Niklas Hagman, Curtis Glencross and Rene Bourque to turn the three-goal disadvantage at the 16:48 mark of the second period to a 5-5 tie at the 7:39 mark of the third. Jarome Iginla and Jay Bouwmeester also scored for the Flames.

Carolina pulls within three points of Montreal and Atlanta, who are tied for the final two Eastern Conference playoff spots.

—30—

Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 12:20 pm by bud

Tags: Atlanta Thrashers, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes news, Carolina Hurricanes schedule, Carolina Hurricanes tickets, Curtis Glencross, Eric Staal, Erik Cole, Jarome Iginla, Jay Bouwmeester, Jeff Skinner, Jussi Jokinen, Montreal Canadiens, National Hockey League, Niklas Hagman, Rene Bourgue, Tuomo Ruutu