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Forsberg makes preseason debut as Senators edge Flyers

Sep 24, 2006 - 2:04 AM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Flyers may have lost the game, but they were happy about the debut of Peter Forsberg.

After undergoing offseason ankle surgery, Forsberg made his first preseason appearance and picked up an assist in the Flyers' 4-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators.

Originally expected to have procedures done on both ankles and not return until January, Forsberg underwent just one operation. He appeared to be in fine shape Saturday, taking 23 shifts that totaled just under 17 minutes of ice time.

Forsberg, the Flyers' new captain, also helped set up defenseman Derian Hatcher's power-play goal with 4 1/2 minutes remaining in the second period that gave his team a 2-1 lead.

But Denis Hamel and tough guy Chris Neil scored man-advantage tallies less than two minutes apart midway through the third to put Ottawa ahead. Simon Gagne forged a tie with 3:51 to go, but Mike Fisher snapped it with a shorthanded goal with 1:57 left, giving the Senators the win.

Defenseman Chris Phillips also scored and Fisher and former Flyer Dean McAmmond each had two assists for Ottawa, which played without defenseman Wade Redden and its top line of Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley.

Blue-liner Joni Pitkanen netted a goal and Mike Knuble set up a pair for the Flyers, who rested Kyle Calder, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards.