CHARLESTON, South Carolina (Ticker) -- If they are trying to spread interest in hockey around the Carolinas, the Hurricanes have some work to do.

Arturs Irbe stopped 20 shots and Bates Battaglia scored a first-period power-play goal as the Hurricanes picked up 1-0 victory over the expansion Atlanta Thrashers, despite managing only 10 shots.

The Hurricanes traveled an hour south of their new home in Raleigh, North Carolina and defeated the Washington Capitals, 4-1, in Fayetteville on Tuesday.

Tonight, they managed seven shots in the first period but recorded only two in the second and one in the third before improving to 3-2 this preseason.

Irbe was good enough to win, recording three saves in the first, seven in the second and 10 in the third.

Battaglia scored his first goal of the preseason on the power play at 7:29 of the opening period.

Corey Schwab made nine saves for the Thrashers, who are 3-3-1 during their first exhibition season.