Brandon Phillips to end the frame.

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(Sports Network) - The Carolina Hurricanes hope that by matching their longest winning streak of the season, they can make up ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race. A disappointing March has seemingly dashed the Tampa Bay Lightnings chances at a division title. The Hurricanes take aim at a fourth straight victory, while the Lightning try to avoid a season-worst fifth consecutive defeat in the finale of a home-and- home series at RBC Center. Carolina and Tampa Bay clashed last night at St. Pete Times Forum, with the Canes holding on for a 4-3 victory thanks to a pair of goals by Eric Cole. The forwards second goal of the game in the third period followed by a power- play tally from Eric Staal gave Carolina a three-goal lead, which was cut to one when the Lightnings Vincent Lecavalier and Simon Gagne scored less than a minute apart later in the frame. They got a couple of quick goals and were coming on there at the end, but I thought we had a great game tonight, said Staal, who scored for the first time in eight games. Weve been fighting things a little bit the past couple of weeks, but were starting to get things together here. Jeff Skinner also scored and Cam Ward made 18 saves for Carolina, which has won three straight after losing five of six and remained three points behind Buffalo for eighth place in the Eastern Conference with eight games to play. The Sabres host the Devils tonight. The Hurricanes will try to match their season-best win streak set from Dec. 11-18 and could have defenseman Jamie McBain, who is close to returning from a shoulder injury. The Lightning, meanwhile, are seven points behind the Capitals for first place in the Southeast Division with eight contests to play and a game in hand. They are also just two points up on the Canadiens for the fifth spot in the East. Gagne ended with two goals and Lecavalier added an assist while reaching the 20-goal mark for an 11th straight season. You see a lot of teams playing desperate hockey this time of the season, said Gagne. For them, its already the playoffs and it showed tonight. Dwayne Roloson made 35 saves in the loss, Tampas fourth in a row that dropped them to 2-6-4 this month. Though these two division rivals have split four meetings this year, the Hurricanes are 14-4-2 in the past 20 meetings. That includes a victory in nine of the past 10 at home in this series. Ward will likely get the call for the Hurricanes tonight and is 16-9-2 with a 2.88 goals-against average in his career versus the Lightning, but is 8-1 in his past nine at home when facing them. The Lightning could stick with Roloson tonight given that backup Mike Smith is 0-6-3 with a 3.29 GAA in his career against Carolina. Roloson fell to 5-6-0 with a 2.84 GAA versus the club. Leger Douzable Jersey . At the start of his annual state of the NFL news conference Friday, Goodell was asked about returning a team to Los Angeles. Garrett McIntyre Womens Jersey .8 million contract extension. Budaj played eight games with the Canadiens this season, recording a 6-1-1 record with a 2. www.jetssportsfanshop.com/womens-geno-smith-nike-jersey-yy-54.html . Footes familiar No. 52 jersey will be raised to the Pepsi Center rafters at a date still to be determined, where it will join those of Joe Sakic (19), Peter Forsberg (21), Patrick Roy (33) and Ray Bourque (77). Curtis Martin Womens Jersey . With the Chiefs up 2-1, Everett goalie Kent Simpson dropped his stick on an innocent play behind the net late in the second period. Marek Kalus got the puck along the right wall and fired a shot at Simpson, who stopped the puck but couldnt keep Mike Aviani from banging in the rebound. David Harris Womens Jersey . James Andrews for a second opinion on the left elbow that has plagued him since he reported to spring training. Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Michael Brantley clubbed a three-run homer in the third inning and the Indians held off Cincinnati, 3-1, to move to the verge of a season sweep of the Reds. The Indians overcame an injury to starting pitcher Fausto Carmona. He strained his right quadriceps in the third inning after losing his balance and falling on his stomach while running out a ground ball. Frank Herrmann (1-0) replaced Carmona on the mound and allowed one hit over three innings to pick up his first major league win. Vinnie Pestano escaped a jam in the ninth inning, striking out Scott Rolen to end the game, leaving runners at the corners. It was Pestanos second save of his career. It feels really good to be able to contribute, Herrmann said. Its fun being on a good team, but its even more fun when you can contribute and help out. Homer Bailey (3-3) was charged with eight hits and two earned runs. He fanned seven batters over seven innings, but lost his third consecutive decision. Joey Votto homered in the eighth inning for Cincinnati, which has lost six of its last eight home games. The Reds couldnt capitalize in key situations, going 1-for-13 with men in scoring position. They stranded 12 base runners. Cleveland is 5-0 this season against the Reds and can complete the season whitewash on Sunday when Mitch Talbot takes the mound for the visitors. The Reds wasted a first and third opportunity in the second, and the Indians went on top the next inning.dddddddddddd Lou Marson singled and Carmona sent a bouncer to Rolen at third. Paul Janish pulled his foot off the base on the throw to second. Carmona bolted down the line to avoid what he thought would be a double play. Instead, he tripped and landed on his stomach. Carmona walked off the field and was replaced by Josh Tomlin as a pinch-runner. Brantley then belted a 2-0 pitch over the wall in right field. We just had that one innings where it kind of fell apart on us, Bailey said. I think the umpire made a mistake on that play at second. Then we had that one big at-bat. Hes a good hitter and has been hitting well all year. He found a pitch and hit it out. The best chance for the Reds to do damage came in the seventh. They loaded the bases with one out, but Drew Stubbs grounder resulted in a force out at home. Joe Smith, who started the frame, finished his 19th straight scoreless appearance by fanning Brandon Phillips to end the frame. Votto homered to center off Tony Sipp leading off the bottom of the eighth. Pestano walked Stubbs and Votto singled with two outs in the ninth, but the Reds faltered again. GAME NOTES:Mike Leake will start on the mound Sunday for the Reds...Rolen is one hit shy of 2,000 for his career...Cincinnati fell to 5-12 in interleague play, while the Indians moved to 11-6...Cleveland, which is alone in first place in the AL Central, has beaten the Reds six straight times. ' ' '