TORONTO, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Sami Kapanen recorded his second career hat trick and first in nearly four years Tuesday night while powering the Carolina Hurricanes to a 5-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Goalless since November 9, Kapanen ended his drought 5:25 into the game when he picked up a loose puck in the slot to the right of Curtis Joseph and wristed it past the goaltender's glove side for a 1-0 lead.
With Carolina clinging to a 3-2 lead late in the third period, Kapanen moved into the left faceoff circle, took a cross-ice feed from Bates Battaglia and again beat Joseph to the glove side.
The 28-year-old Finn completed his first hat trick since March 15, 1998 with an empty-netter with just 72 seconds left, giving Carolina its first road win since November 8. The Hurricanes had been 0-2-2 in their last four games away from home.
Defensemen Tomas Kaberle and Bryan McCabe scored first-period goals for Toronto, which had an eight-game home unbeaten streak snapped.
