Friday 7 November 2008

Hot Senators blow away Flyers

Flyers 1 - 4 Senators

The Flyers travelled to Ottawa on Thursday and suffered their second straight loss at the hands of the red hot Senators.

Philly coach John Stevens will be hoping this isn't the start of a run like the team went on to start the season, when Philly went 0-3-3 in their first six games.

Conversely Ottawa will be hoping their recent 4-0-1 streak will kick-start their season following four consecutive losses.

First period goals from Anton Volchenkov and Dany Heatley meant the Flyers were chasing the game early, with the visitors managing only three shots in the opening session.

Winger Arron Asham claimed his first goal of the season in the second to bring the Flyers within one, with but this reprise was short lived as Jesse Winchester restored the Sentaors lead less than a minute later.

This two goal cushion was more than enough for Ottawa (6-5-2), but Chris Neil added some extra insurance late in the game, firing into an empty net.

Philadelphia (4-5-3) have now conceded three or more goals in eight of their 12 games so far this year, winning just once when they have done so.

Neither Martin Biron nor Antero Niittymaki (who started the night) have managed to consistently keep the puck out of the net this season, and little help has come defensively from their colleagues.

Even offensively the Flyers cooled off: Jeff Carter's seven game points streak came to an end, whilst Mike Knuble failed to score for the first time in six games.

The one bright spot for Philly was captain Mike Richards who continued to supply his teammates with chances, collecting his 11th assist in 12 starts.

He will have to continue leading by example on Saturday, as the Flyers return home to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning (4-4-4) who have also started the year slowly.

The Lightning will head into the game on the back of two road losses to the Devils and the Rangers, and Philly will look to make this consecutive loss number three against Atlantic division opponents.

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