By Al Cohen
Philadelphia Phantoms Correspondent

The Philadelphia Phantoms dropped a 4-2 decision to the Albany River Rats this afternoon at South Mountain Arena in their second of four preseason games.

The game was tied at 1-1 through the first period, and again at 2-2 at the end of the second, but Albany was able to score the only two goals of the third period to pull away for the win. Zach Parise scored on the power play at 2:57 for the game-winner, while Aaron Voros added an insurance goal just under seven minutes into the frame.

It was a nasty affair between the East Division rivals, as there were a total of six fights in the opening period. Josh Gratton and Ben Eager both dropped the gloves twice, while Eric Meloche and Wade Skolney also got in on the action for the Phantoms.

Mathieu Brunelle opened the scoring to give the Phantoms the early lead. Brunelle was parked at the side of the net and was in perfect position for an easy rebound of a blast by R.J. Umberger at 5:21, with Philadelphia on the power play.

The River Rats' Aleksander Suglobov tied the game midway through the period, finding goaltender Neil Little's five-hole.

Philadelphia took the lead back in the second on a goal by Eager at 8:37, but Albany responded once again with just 1:36 left in the period on a goal by Ryan Murphy.

Little played the entire game in net for the Phantoms, while Scott Clemmensen played the final period for Albany in relief of Matus Kostur to record the victory.

Albany finished 2-for-7 on the power play, while the Phantoms converted one of six opportunities.

The Phantoms have two preseason games remaining; Friday, Oct. 8 at 5:00 p.m. against Norfolk at the Sovereign Bank Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, N.J., and Monday, Oct. 11 as they visit the ECHL's Trenton Titans.

Phantoms Notes: Not dressing for Philadelphia were Randy Jones, Rosario Ruggeri, Joni Pitkanen, Jeff Smith, Mark Murphy, Brent Robinson, Ben Stafford, Joey Hope and Chris Houle ... Albany also defeated Philadelphia, 3-2, on Saturday.