GREENSBORO, N.C.--After mental lapses cost them dearly in their first two games, the Carolina Hurricanes stressed playing a full 60 minutes last night.

The Hurricanes took it a step further, battling the Dallas Stars to a 2-2 tie with 65 solid minutes of hockey as Keith Primeau and Gary Roberts scored 48 seconds apart early in the third period.

"That was the best 65 minutes that this hockey team has put together in a long time," Primeau said. "How can you not be excited, enthusiastic and pleased with the effort."

"Those guys play their system as good as anybody in the league and anytime you can take a point from the Dallas Stars, whether it's at home or on the road, we've got to feel good about it," added Roberts. "The wins will come if we play as hard as we did tonight."

Dallas' Mike Modano tied it with 12:47 left with a shot from the circle to the short side of goalie Arturs Irbe, playing for the benched Trevor Kidd. Modano has three goals in as many games this season.

Irbe stopped 36 of 38 shots against his former team.

"We've seen that from him before," Dallas coach Ken Hitchcock said.