The Thrashers earned their first win of the 2009 Traverse City Prospect Evaluation Tournament today, posting a 7-3 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes.  With the win, Atlanta closed out the preliminary round with a 1-2-0 record.

Atlanta jumped out to a 2-0 lead  in the first period thanks to goals by Andrew Kozek and Mike Forney.  Kozek picked up his second goal of the tournament at the 10:31 mark of the opening frame, while Forney tallied an unassisted goal less than three minutes later to give the Thrashers a two-goal advantage.  Carolina made it a 2-1 game with less than three minutes remaining in the period on Matt Kennedy’s third goal of the tournament.

After a scoreless middle frame, the teams combined for seven third-period goals including five by the Thrashers.  The teams traded two goals apiece to start the period as Kozek picked up his second of the evening and defenseman Paul Posta tallied his first goal of the tournament for Atlanta.  Zach Boychuk and Harrison Reed scored for the Hurricanes.  Leading by a 4-3 score late in the third period, the Thrashers posted three unanswered goals to earn the 7-3 victory.  Eric O’Dell picked up his first two goals of the tournament, one shorthanded and one on the power play, and Evander Kane scored for the third consecutive game.

Josh Unice made his second start in goal for Atlanta, making 33 saves for the win.  Mike Murphy started the game for Carolina, turning aside 30-of-32 shots in 40:00 of action.  Alain Valiquette allowed four goals on 13 shots in the third period.

Click here for the game summary and statistics.

The Thrashers will close out the 2009 Traverse City Prospect Evaluation Tournament today at 2:30 p.m. vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets.