Zepp shines in otherwise listless effort by Flyers

NEWARK, N.J. _ Goalie Rob Zepp was, by far, the Flyers' best player in Sunday night's mostly lethargic 3-1 preseason loss in New Jersey.

Zepp, 33, allowed two goals, both on the power play, and made 38 saves. The Devils iced the win on an empty-net goal, and they would have won by about a 6-1 or 7-1 if Zepp wasn't sharp.

Most of the rest of the Flyers, however, looked like they were sleepwalking in the first 50 minutes. New Jersey finished with a 41-16 shots advantage.

"I'm disappointed in our veterans and the way they performed tonight," coach Craig Berube said after his team fell to 2-2-1. "It's unacceptable. Exhibition or not, you still have to work. You have to skate. And we didn't do either.

"Our goalie was good. That's about it…."

Zepp was drafted in the fourth round by both Atlanta (1999) and Carolina (2001), but he has never played in the NHL. He spent the last seven years starring in Germany, and had a .931 save percentage and 2.39 goals-against average last season.

If the Flyers have the need to call up a goalie during the season, Zepp figures to be the first option.

"Our scouts and management liked him," Berube said. "I'm not sure it's a surprise to them."

Even though he has never played in the NHL, "I really believe in my ability," Zepp said. "Obviously, you never truly know until you get at that level. But I went over there (Europe) with the intention of coming back here some day. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity now and we'll see where it leads."

Why now?

"I'm not getting younger," said a smiling Zepp. "I've had some (NHL) opportunities over the last two summers, but either the offer wasn't right or the situation wasn't right. Listen, we had a really good thing going there in Berlin. We were successful and it's a first-class place to be. I was playing with the German National Team, so I felt like I was developing, …and after talking to Philly, figured this was the last opportunity. It was now or never, and I didn't want to look back some day and wonder, 'What if?' "

Zepp, who returns to his home every summer near Toronto, appears ticketed to be a mentor for 20-year-old Anthony Stolarz with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

He is happy to lend a hand, but not necessarily content with that role.

"Certainly, but obviously I have my own goals and ambitions as well," Zepp said. "I'd be more than happy to help Anthony out…We've already started to build a good relationship in camp and I'm sure that won't be any different during the year."

Jones impresses. Blair Jones, trying to win a job as a fourth-line center, continued to impress. He had an assist and led the Flyers with five shots. "He's been good the whole camp," Berube said.

Breakaways. Ray Emery (lower-body injury) skated at practice Sunday morning and could be ready to return to action soon....The Flyers will play the Rangers in Madison Square Garden on Monday night, then host the Blueshirts on Tuesday in a game that could be Claude Giroux's first of the preseason…..Berube wants to see more urgency with his players.  "We have to understand that we have Boston around the corner here," he said, referring to the Oct. 8 opener. "You can't just turn it on. You have to have yourself ready to go and to compete."…Scott Gomez, 34, had both Devils goals.

Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.