Carolina Hurricanes 2, Toronto Maple Leafs 0 FINAL

TORONTO (AP) _ Kevin Weekes is quietly enjoying a career season while playing for one of the worst teams in the NHL.

Weekes made 32 saves for his career-best sixth shutout of the season and Erik Cole scored a short-handed goal as the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-0 Tuesday night.

Weekes has the second most shutouts in the NHL this season, four fewer than New Jersey's Martin Brodeur. Weekes is 17-17-7 this season and is the only goalie to win a game for the Hurricanes.

He's never had a .500 season in his seven year career.

``It would be important, but everything is relative. I've never had the luxury of playing for the Dallas Stars or the New Jersey Devils,'' said Weekes, who has also played for Florida, Tampa Bay, the New York Islanders and Vancouver.

``Sometimes adversity provides opportunity. I've played on teams that were very young, much like myself. There aren't many young players that can step in and play for the Colorado Avalanche when they are in their peak, especially a goalie. Sometimes it takes a team being at rock-bottom to get that opportunity.''

The 28-year-old Toronto native made several impressive saves in earning his 19th career shutout. More than a few Toronto players missed the net with shots.

Toronto outshot Carolina 32-19, but went 0-for-6 on the power play.

``The only way to beat Toronto in their own building is to have great goaltending and to capitalize on a couple of opportunities,'' Carolina's Jeff O'Neill said.

Josef Vasicek also scored for the Hurricanes, who have won just two of their last six games. Toronto entered tied for the most points in the Eastern Conference.

Bret Hedican assisted on Cole's breakaway goal. Hedican shot the puck off the boards to Cole, who streaked toward the net before putting a wrist shot over Ed Belfour's glove midway through the first.

Vasicek gave Carolina a 2-0 lead with 3:10 remaining in the third after defenseman Tomas Kaberle turned the puck over by passing in front of his own net.

``They were both lousy goals,'' Toronto coach Pat Quinn said. ``We had enough chances. We couldn't beat their goalie.''

Toronto forward Mikael Renberg didn't return after pulling his hamstring in the second. The Maple Leafs are already missing forwards Alexander Mogilny, Owen Nolan, Darcy Tucker, and defenseman Wade Belak because of injuries.

Weekes made a nice glove save on Renberg's shot from in front in the first. His kick save kept Bryan McCabe from scoring late in the period.

Toronto's Tie Domi couldn't put a rebound past Weekes despite an open net midway through the third, and Weekes robbed Joe Nieuwendyk of a goal with a kick save with two minutes left.

Maple Leafs fans booed as the final buzzer sounded.