NHL: Carolina 6, Buffalo 2

BUFFALO, N.Y., Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Eric Staal scored the game-winning goal Wednesday night and added two assists as Carolina beat the Buffalo Sabres, 6-2.

Staal scored the first of four goals in third period to break a 2-2 tie.

The others were scored by Cory Stillman, Mike Commodore, and Bret Hedican.

Carolina's Ray Whitney and Rod Brind’Amour also scored once.

Justin Williams and Hedican also had two assists each, and goaltender Cam Ward stopped 18 of 20 Buffalo shots as the Hurricanes snapped a string of five straight losses to the Sabres.

Buffalo’s Jason Pominville scored twice, giving him five goals in the new season.

Goalie Ryan Miller was beaten six times on 43 Carolina shots as the Sabres suffered their third loss in a row.

On the power play, the Hurricanes went 3-for-9, and the Sabres were 1-for-5.