ATLANTA – Eric Staal scored three goals in 4:31 span of the third period to overshadow Bryan Little’s first career hat trick in the Carolina Hurricanes’ 5-4 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers on Friday night.

Staal’s sixth career hat trick, and second in 17 games, helped Carolina win for the second time in three games and fourth in six.

After Staal tie it at 3 on a power play with 12:33 remaining, Little answered with his third goal of the game, redirecting Niclas Havelid’s wrister for his fifth goal in two games and 17th this season.

Staal tied it again at 9:18, firing a shot off the left post and behind Johan Hedberg. The Carolina star made it 5-4 barely a minute later, easily skating around Thrashers defenseman Nathan Oystrick and beating Hedberg.