RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Eric Staal scored a pure hat trick and the Carolina Hurricanes won their fourth straight game Saturday, 4-2 over Anaheim.
After Ryan Getzlaff had handed the Ducks an early 1-0 lead, Staal scored the next three goals to put the Hurricanes ahead for good.
Staal's two first-period tallies came on power plays and his third less than 2 minutes into the second made it 3-1. The Hurricanes hung on to establish their first four-game win streak of the season.
Goalie Cam Ward was extremely busy, turning aside 43-of-45 shots and making a spectacular save on Saku Koivu shot with less than a minute to play to preserve the lead.
Joe Corvo added an empty-net goal and Jussi Jokinen notched two assists for the victors.
Getzlaf scored twice and Jonas Hiller was touched for three goals on 31 shots in Anaheim's loss.
