Hurricanes Whirl Around Sharks

The new-look Trevor Kidd has returned to his old form.

Kidd, who had his shoulder-length hair cut off this week, turned away 36 shots Wednesday night in his bid to reclaim the No. 1 goaltender spot for Carolina as the Hurricanes defeated the San Jose Sharks 3-0.

Keith Primeau was the main offensive weapon for Carolina, scoring two goals and adding an assist.

Kidd finished second in the NHL last season in save percentage and fifth in goals-against average, but was relegated to a backup role after a slow start and the excellent play of Arturs Irbe.

But Kidd shined in his first action since Nov. 11 -- a span of six games. He was razor-sharp with his glove in recording his 14th career shutout.

"The start was maybe a speed bump in the road," said Kidd, playing in only his sixth game of the season. "Hopefully, I've got my feet pointed in the right direction. I think I do, I'm working hard in practice but it's only one win. More importantly, the team won."

Kidd said he felt "light" in net without his long flowing hair - a trademark of the popular Carolina goalie.

"I don't know what they used (to cut it) but they needed a pickup to get the hair out of there. (The barber) just started cutting and I closed my eyes," Kidd said.

The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Southeast Division-leading Hurricanes, while the Sharks remained the NHL's only winless team on the road, falling to 0-5-3 away from home.

Ray Sheppard also extended his league-high goal-scoring streak to six straight as San Jose goalie Mike Vernon failed in his bid to pass Gump Worsley for ninth on the all-time victory list.

But the real story was Kidd, who was mobbed by his teammates following the shutout.

"He's been a true professional about the situation," Primeau said. "(Irbe) was playing extremely well, Trevor understood that and he put he team first. He went about his business and never once griped in the dressing room or made any contention about the fact that he wasn't playing.

"He waited for his turn and he really capitalized and we credit the win to Trevor."

Kidd also received a little bit of luck early in the game when Ron Stern hit the crossbar with 27 seconds gone.

"It was a bounce I enjoyed," Kidd said. "The past few games that might have went in, but it didn't."

Sheppard fed Primeau on a breakaway with 1:47 left in the opening period and the Carolina captain beat Vernon high over his glove for a 1-0 lead.

Primeau's individual effort inside San Jose's zone set up Sheppard's 10th goal early in the second period -- a rebound effort into a wide-open net as Vernon was sprawled on the ice after being knocked over by two teammates.

Sami Kapanen assisted on the first two goals.

Primeau scored his 10th seven minutes later, knocking in Sheppard's rebound shot to make it 3-0.

The Sharks had beaten the Hurricanes 3-0 two weeks ago in San Jose, but fell to 0-3-1 in their last four games to remain in last place in the Pacific Division with 13 points.

"The biggest difference (in the two games) was we were playing four games in six nights this time," said San Jose coach Darryl Sutter. "They were a rested team and you could tell they were fresher emotionally."

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