Eric Staal once again picked up the Carolina Hurricanes and led them to a 5-4 victory against the Atlanta Thrashers on Friday night when he recorded his sixth career hat trick. Staal picked up his three goals in just over four minutes of the third period.

With his team on the power play and trailing 3-2 in the third period, Eric tied the game at three when he tucked home his 15th goal of the season on the backhand.

Once again trailing, Eric tied the game at four with a lazer of a shot to the top corner from the right circle. He then capped off the comeback with an end to end rush. He picked up the puck in his own defensive zone, rushed threw the neutral zone, got by a defenseman and fired home the game winning goal to complete his sixth career hat trick.

"I took it to the net hard," Staal said. "I created some opportunities."

Staal now has 17 goals on the season, with eight in his last 10 games. "The big fellow is one of the great players in the game," Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice said.

After younger brother Jordan picked up a hat trick earlier in the year, Eric has now picked up the last two. "You want to get as many as you can," Eric said. "It's fun to have them." Eric and the 'Canes will be hosting the best in the East when the Boston Bruins come to town on Saturday night.

Posted By: Luke Ventura