No trial for Flyers' prospect

Forward Nick Cousins will report to the AHL Phantoms after the Flyers' 2011 third-round draftee avoided a trial on sexual charges.

The Sault Star reported Thursday that Cousins and two other Ontario Hockey League players, including Mark Petaccio of Sicklerville, would not face trial after an arrest on Aug. 25, when a woman alleged she was forced to have sexual intercourse.

The newspaper reported the Crown indicated there was "no reasonable prospect of conviction."

The players, all members of the Sault Greyhounds at the time, were reportedly ordered to undergo counseling last year.

Cousins finished third in the OHL with 103 points, including 76 assists.

Tweeted Cousins: "Wow! Tough 8 months for myself and my family. Glad to say that it is finally over! Would like to thank my family, friends, billets and…the Soo Greyhounds organization for the support along the way…."

He later tweeted that he will join the Phantoms.

Breakaways. Winger Zac Rinaldo is out indefinitely with a high sprain of his left ankle......Erik Gustafsson (two assists) had the first multi-point game of his NHL career in the Flyers' 5-3 win in Toronto on Thursday.....Kent Huskins also contributed to the Flyers' makeshift D with four blocked shots and a plus-2 rating......The Flyers, now 5-12-1 on the road, play in Winnipeg on Saturday afternoon. If Kimmo Timonen can't play Saturday, Kurtis Foster will probably get the call unless Nick Grossmann is ready. Or maybe the Flyers will ask Chris "Bundy" Therien to come down from the broadcast booth. Five of the Flyers' top six D-men, including Chris Pronger, are sidelined with injuries. Pronger, by the way, was at the game in Toronto.

Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.