Flyers Notes | Outdoor game with Pens floated

NEWARK, N.J. - Flyers general manager

Paul Holmgren

said Saturday that he would like to see an annual outdoor game between the Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins on the campus of Penn State in State College, Pa.

He thinks it would be good for the rivalry and easily could draw 100,000 people. Coach

John Stevens

endorsed the idea, too.

"I've been up to Penn State for some football games. The atmosphere up there is just unbelievable. It's a great town. It's halfway between Pittsburgh and here. It's an ideal situation. You'd get fans from both teams."

Pittsburgh native

R.J. Umberger

also is sold on the idea.

"Just imagine how intense and fun that would be in an outdoor game," the Flyers center said. "To play at Penn State there, the fans from Pittsburgh and Philly, it would be insane, probably one of the best games in NHL history."

It was not hard to figure out that

Kimmo Timonen's

"lower body injury" was back stiffness. He was wearing a warm pack around his upper back last night and missed the game against the New Jersey Devils.

"It's not hard to see what I've got," said Timonen, who also missed the game against Carolina on Saturday. "Maybe last week it started with some stiffness there. I'll skate and see how it feels."

Timonen took part in pregame warm-ups but still felt uncomfortable.

Scottie Upshall

said he has no idea why the Hurricanes'

Chad LaRose

was in the hallway outside the Flyers' dressing room after Saturday's game against Carolina, looking to fight him. "That is obviously something he has issues with," Upshall said. "I can't pinpoint why he would come after myself or anyone else." . . . Flyers equipment manager

Derek "Nasty" Settlemyre

and assistant

Harry Bricker

were locked out of the Flyers' dressing room in Newark early yesterday morning after a key broke in the lock. They had to load equipment into another dressing room. The room eventually was opened yesterday.

- Tim Panaccio