The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Eastern Conference-leading New Jersey Devils 4-2 to go 4-1-1 on their six-game, 12-day road trip.<\/p>\n
“It was a gutsy effort by our team,” said goalie Cam Ward, who stopped 26 shots including one in the last minute that barely missed tying the game. An empty net goal wrapped it up.<\/p>\n
“It’s been a long trip,” he said. “To finish with two points against the first-place team is a huge confidence builder.”<\/p>\n
Patrick Dwyer, who scored one of the Hurricanes goals, agreed but expanded on the confidence angle. “It was huge for our confidence,” Dwyer said. “To have such a successful road trip speaks to our confidence.”<\/p>\n
Dwyer gave a lot of the credit to Ward.<\/p>\n
“He’s been spectacular this whole road trip. He really stepped up,” Dwyer said. “Our success drives off goaltending and those guys have been great.”<\/p>\n
It took a big power play goal by Jiri Tlusty to break a 2-2 tie and give the Hurricanes the lead for good. Tlusty also scored the empty net goal with 34 seconds left.<\/p>\n