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BOX SCORE
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Jaromir Jagr is one of the few players who
makes news by not scoring.
Martin Gelinas and Rob DiMaio scored in a 35-second span of the
second period as the Carolina Hurricanes beat Pittsburgh 3-2 to end
the Penguins' three-game winning streak Wednesday night.
|  | | Michal Rozsival didn't get his wrist shot past Hurricanes goaltender Arturs Irbe. |
Arturs Irbe made 15 saves in the third period for the
Hurricanes, who held Jagr scoreless for the first time in five
games this season.
"It's never an easy job," said defenseman Glen Wesley, who was
primarily responsible for Jagr. "He's flat out the best player in
the world. I definitely got some help with great goaltending but I
knew that was my assignment tonight and obviously it's rewarding to
come up with the win, especially against Pittsburgh at home."
Jagr had four shots on goal but didn't improve his totals of
five goals and eight points. He was coming off his first career
four-goal game.
"He set up some great plays and players weren't able to
finish," Wesley said. "It's an exciting challenge for anybody to
face the top line every night. That's usually my assignment. When
you're playing against the top line or against a world class player
like Jagr, that's where you want to be."
The Penguins played the final 18 seconds with a two-man
advantage after pulling goalie Jean-Sebastein Aubin and getting a
power play on a tripping call against Sandis Ozolinsh.
Pittsburgh coach Ivan Hlinka maintained the Penguins wouldn't
have needed that desperate effort if they hadn't wasted so much
time earlier in the game.
"Everyone should know we have to work hard for the whole 60
minutes," Hlinka said.
Defenseman Darius Kasparaitis agreed with his coach.
"We regrouped and came back in the third period but 20 minutes
isn't enough to win a game," he said.
Gelinas scored at 5:01 when he deflected Jeff Karpa's point shot
through Aubin's pads for his second goal. DiMaio skated to the net
and chipped in Josef Vasicek's pass at 5:36. Gelinas assisted and
has six points in five games.
Robert Lang scored Pittsburgh's first goal on a power play at
10:35 to cut the deficit to 2-1. Jiri Slegr got the Penguins' first
shot of the period and Lang lifted the rebound over Irbe's left
pad.
Ron Francis scored his first of the season at 17:00 to restore
the Hurricanes' two-goal lead. Michal Rozsival and Lang left
Francis unchecked in front of the net, giving him space to make a
play and score his 473rd career goal.
"Things haven't been bouncing my way, so it's nice to finally
get one and have it be the game-winner," Francis said.
The Penguins pulled within 3-2 at 9:08 of the third with a
three-way passing play that ended with Josef Beranek tapping the
puck into an open net.
Irbe preserved the lead by stopping Aleksey Morozov's
short-handed breakaway midway through the third period.
Game notes
Francis' goal tied him with Hall of Famer Denis Savard on
the NHL's career list. ... Hurricanes D David Tanabe left the game
in the second period with an unspecified injury and did not return.
... The Penguins honored Francis before the game as part of their
Millennium Team. He accepted his award from owner and former
teammate Mario Lemieux. Francis was a member of the Penguins'
Stanley Cup championship teams in 1991 and 1992.
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Carolina Clubhouse
Pittsburgh Clubhouse
RECAPS
Colorado 5
Columbus 1
Carolina 3
Pittsburgh 2
Dallas 2
San Jose 1
Minnesota 6
Tampa Bay 5
NY Rangers 4
Chicago 2
Phoenix 2
Florida 1
Vancouver 4
Calgary 1
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Rob DiMaio puts the falling-down shot past Jean-Sebastein Aubin.
avi: 644 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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