NHL: Carolina 4, Boston 1

BOSTON, Oct. 18 (UPI) -- Cam Ward stopped 33-of-34 shots and Joni Pitkanen registered a goal and two assists Tuesday in the Carolina Hurricanes' 4-1 win over Boston.

Ward came up big in the third period, making 12 saves as the Bruins scrambled to erase a 2-0 a deficit.

Eric Staal and Tuomo Ruutu, meanwhile, found the net 36 seconds apart down the stretch to seal the Hurricanes' victory.

Pitkanen had given Carolina a crucial two-goal cushion midway through the second period when he skated all the way down the open left side and buried a slap shot past Tuuka Rask.

Rich Peverley got the only goal for defending Stanley Cup champion Boston, which continued its slow start while falling to 2-4-0.

Rask made 19 saves in the setback.