NHL: Carolina 2, St. Louis 1

RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Cam Ward stopped 30 shots Friday, 16 in the third period, to help the Carolina Hurricanes record a 2-1 victory against St. Louis.

Eric Staal and Anton Babchuk both scored power-play goals, while Tuomo Ruutu and Sergei Samsonov had two assists apiece for the Hurricanes, who have won three of their last four games.

Babchuk's third goal this season at 11:05 of the third period was the eventual game-winner.

David Backes' 12th at 11:56 of the third was the lone goal for the Blues. Chris Mason and Manny Legace combined to surrender three goals on 29 shots in the Blues' third straight loss and the fifth in their last six outings.

Carolina went 2-for-5 on the power play while St. Louis was 0-for-2.