Eric Staal became the fourth player to have his number retired by the Carolina Hurricanes when his No. 12 was raised at the Lenovo Center prior to the team’s game against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.

The Hurricanes tried to give Eric Staal a victory on his big day with a third-period rally, but the Ducks came away with an overtime win on Cutter Gauthier’s second goal of the game.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Eric Staal, the leading scorer in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2006 when the Carolina Hurricanes won the Cup, had his jersey retired in a pregame ceremony before the Hurricanes hosted the Anaheim Ducks at Lenovo Center on Sunday.

The mantle went from Ron Francis and Glen Wesley to Rod Brind’Amour to Eric Staal, and he carried it alone for a long time, until it was no longer a privilege.

Before the game, the Carolina Hurricanes honored Eric Staal, whose number 12 was retired and put into the rafters of the Lenovo Center. The former captain leads the Hurricanes franchise (since relocation) in a plethora of all-time records.

As a player for the Carolina Hurricanes, Eric Staal didn’t have to sit through many ceremonies like the one retiring his No. 12 on Sunday. Thanks to him and his teammates, the Canes have a lot of them these days.

In the Carolina Hurricanes world, many things have gone on with more coming around the corner. Between Jan. 4 and Jan. 10, the Hurricanes played five games in seven days with a record of 3-2-0.