Carolina 1, Dallas 0

RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Kevin Weekes stopped 28 shots in his first start since suffering a concussion and Jeff O'Neill broke a scoreless tie with 8 1/2 minutes to go Sunday as the Carolina Hurricanes edged the Dallas Stars, 1-0.

Injured on Nov. 29, Weekes made nine saves in the first and third periods and 10 in the second for his second shutout of the season and the ninth of his career.

Sami Kapanen had the puck from behind the net and passed to O'Neill at the side of the crease, from where he scored his 11th goal of the season and team-best fifth game-winner.

Carolina captain Ron Francis picked up his 1,200th career assist on the play while Kapanen recorded his 200th.

Marty Turco nearly matched Weekes but ended up with 26 saves and has lost consecutive starts for just the second time this season. Coming off Saturday's 5-3 loss in New Jersey, Dallas is winless in a season-high four straight (0-2-2).

The Hurricanes had another goal by O'Neill dissallowed in the final minute of the first period, when coincidental penalties were called on defensemen Richard Matvichuk of the Stars and Carolina's Sean Hill.

Matvichuk whiffed on a puck just outside his blue line that was picked up by Kapanen. Matvichuk hooked Kapanen to draw a delayed penalty, but Kapanen was able to push puck to the slot, where O'Neill beat Turco with a one-timer.

But Hill was called for slashing behind the play, nullifying the goal.