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McAmmond, Senators ready to visit Philadelphia, Downie

Jan 20, 2008 - 2:13 PM Ottawa (30-13-4) at Philadelphia (25-15-5) 7:00 pm EST

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) - Dean McAmmond has probably had this date circled on his calendar for the last four months.

McAmmond and the Ottawa Senators will face the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday night for the first time since the 14-year veteran needed to be carried off the ice on a stretcher after suffering a vicious hit from rookie Steve Downie.

Downey, who was still trying to make an NHL roster, left his feet to level an unsuspecting McAmmond after taking a run at the 34-year-old left wing. The potential career-ending hit left McAmmond with a shoulder injury and a concussion and forced him to miss the first 10 games of the season.

The 20-year-old Downie received a 20-game suspension and will clearly have a target on his jersey Sunday.

The Flyers will hope to avoid the distraction and pick up their fourth straight win. Scott Hartnell notched his second hat trick in five games in Saturday's 5-3 triumph over the New York Islanders.

Ottawa, on the other hand, has lost three of its last four contests since All-Star Dany Heatley suffered a shoulder injury. Heatley, who has 25 goals and 56 points this season, will be out for at least another month.

Daniel Alfredsson leads the Senators with 29 tallies and 60 points.