NEW YORK — As Flyers practice waned, general manager Paul Holmgren walked down from his seat a few rows off the ice to talk to trainer Jim McCrossin, who was sitting on the bench watching Steve Mason.

The goalie skated over to the bench and chatted with McCrossin as Claude Giroux watched before exiting for the locker room.

Even though he was feeling better day-by-day, Mason felt fatigued toward the end of practice and won't be playing in Game 2 Sunday afternoon. In fact, he won't even be backing up.

"With the last 10 minutes of practice what's really bothering me wasn't feeling very good, " Mason said. "In talking with Homer and Chief (Craig Berube) there, decided we need to give it a little more time there before I get back in there."

Cal Heeter will head back to Manhattan from Hershey, Pa., where the Adirondack Phantoms will have their season finale Saturday night. Mason isn't even healthy enough to back-up.

Mason hasn't played since he was knocked out of a win against the Pittsburgh Penguins a week ago. The Flyers won't reveal whether it's a concussion, but Mason clearly hit his head on the ice and has had good days and bad since the injury. Better luck Tuesday for Game 3.

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