After a excellent opening performance on Monday, the Philadelphia Flyers’ second preseason act didn’t go so well.
The Flyers struggled putting together any offense and consistently overwhelmed on defense, as they lost to the host Ottawa Senators, 3-1, Wednesday night in more preseason action.
Missing numerous players, including captain Mike Richards, Marty Biron, Jeff Carter, Glen Metropolit, Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn, Steve Downie and Scottie Upshall, the Flyers tried to string together some patchwork offense with a top line of Knuble – Briere – Hartnell. But even with some big dogs still playing, it was Darroll Powe whogot the Flyers’ only goal.
7:03 into the first period, Powe snagged a turnover in the Senators zone and managed to put it past Ottawa goalie Martin Gerber, to give the Flyers the 1-0 lead. It was the only shot Gerber saw in the first period. 
Powe is competing with Jim Dowd for the fourth-line center position and opening some eyes in the process.
Putting on a great deal of pressure, Ottawa managed to strike back with a Chris Neil power play goal past J.S. Aubin with 1:48 left in the period, to lock the score at one.
The Flyers offense looked the best it did all game early in the second period on the power play. But a power play line of Giroux – Briere – Knuble, could not strike gold. The Flyers went 0-5 on the power play.
8:28 into the second period and still with complete pressure, Senators’ center Jesse Winchester put the puck past Aubin to give his team the 2-1 lead. The Sens wouldn’t look back.
Despite giving up two goals, Aubin was solid in net, now bowing under the potent offensive attack of Daniel Alfredsson, Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza. Aubin left the game at the start of the third with 20 saves on 23 shots.
— Notes
Former Flyers’ defenseman and captain, Jason Smith, notched two assists in the game. He was paired with Filip Kuba.
Newly acquired Flyers’ defenseman Steve Eminger was paired with Lasse Kukkonen and played in alll scenarios. He led all Flyers with 25:28 TOI.
Arron Asham got into his first fight in a Flyers’ uniform, scrapping with Chris Neil after Neil took a run at defenseman Luca Sbisa. Neil got the jump early on Asham, but once Arron gained his composure he landed a couple big shots that sent Neil’s helmet flying.
For the second game in a row, rookie Claude Giroux has not impressed. The youngster has showed skill, but hasn’t been able to avoid losing the puck when pressed. He has been almost invisible except when seen getting pushed off the puck.
The Flyers’ next preseason game is Thursday, Sept. 25 against the New York Islanders. The game will take place in London, Ontario — the hometown of Flyers’ forward Jeff Carter.
Phila.Bright 