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Spezza's third-period goal pushes Senators past Flyers

Sep 26, 2007 - 2:47 AM Mark Robinson PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

OTTAWA (Ticker) -- Jason Spezza scored the go-ahead goal 43 seconds into the third period as the Ottawa Senators defeated the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-2, in a hotly-contested match on Tuesday.

Spezza broke a 2-2 deadlock going into the second intermission when he tapped in a rebound past Flyers goaltender Brian Boucher late in the second period to go ahead 3-2. Boucher replaced Antero Niittymaki at the 8:55 mark of the second period and stopped 12 of 14 shots in taking the loss.

The spirit of preseason nastiness was alive and well as the Senators hosted the Flyers in the second of two meetings before the regular season begins next week.

The game was marred by an incident early the second period, when Philadelphia right wing Steve Downie caught Ottawa's left wing Dean McAmmond with a heavy hit behind the Philadelphia net. McAmmond appeared to be unconscious even before dropping to the ice.

A skirmish involving all 10 skaters ensued, Downie received a match penalty and Ottawa right winger Brian McGrattan received a major for fighting with Philadelphia right winger Jesse Boulerice, as well as a 10-minute misconduct and a game misconduct.

McAmmond left the ice on a stretcher and was said to be conscious and had feeling and movement in his extremities. He was taken to hospital for further evaluation.

The Senators tied the game for the second time late in the five-minute power play on defenseman Joe Corvo's slap shot from the point that found its way through traffic and eluded Niittymaki. Senators goalie Ray Emery, who stopped seven of the nine shots he faced, played two periods in his first start of the preseason.