NHL: Carolina 6, Atlanta 3

ATLANTA, March 5 (UPI) -- Eric Staal scored twice and assisted on a third goal Wednesday in carrying Carolina to a 6-3 decision over Atlanta.

The Hurricanes won for the eighth time in 11 games. Frantisek Kaberle had three assists and Cam Ward, who made his seventh straight start, stopped 21 shots.

Atlanta is winless in eight consecutive outings (5

Atlanta scored the first goal, that coming from Chris Thorburn in his 100th NHL game.

But Carolina responded to take a 2-1 lead after the opening period, during which the Hurricanes outshot the Thrashers 14-3.