, April 12 (UPI) -- Defenseman Bret Hedican scored the go-ahead goal against his former team midway through the third period Friday night, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 3-1 triumph over the Florida Panthers.
Hedican broke a 1-1 tie with 9:28 left, taking a pass from Rod Brind'Amour on a 2-on-1 and wristing the puck under the glove of goaltender Trevor Kidd.
Martin Gelinas sealed Carolina's third straight win with an empty-netter in the final minute.
The Hurricanes captured the season series with the Panthers, 4
1, and reached 90 points for the first time since 1986-87, when the Hartford Whalers recorded a franchise-record 93.
Making just his second start since he was acquired from Tampa Bay, Kevin Weekes stopped 24 shots for Carolina. Craig MacDonald added his first NHL goal.
Kidd made 34 saves and former Hurricane Byron Ritchie scored the lone goal for Florida, which lost for just the third time in its last nine games.
