FREDERICTON, New Brunswick -- The Skipjacks didn't even have the strength to bail as they continued to founder in the Atlantic yesterday.

The Fredericton Canadiens swamped the lethargic Skipjacks, 6-2, before 3,057 at the Aitken Centre. It was Baltimore's third loss in as many nights on its late-season swing through the AHL's Atlantic Division.

"We're trying our best and we're banged up really bad, that's all I can say," said Skipjacks coach Barry Trotz. "We're dead emotionally and physically. You can't play this game when you're dead in those two aspects.

"Guys are trying, it's just the tank is empty.

"We're in our fifth game in six nights and we've made 2,500 miles in travel and I had 11 healthy guys and nothing else."

The Canadiens scored twice in the first six minutes and went on to a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes and 5-1 through two periods.

"In the second period we gave Fredericton two gifts," said Trotz, talking about goals on giveaways in the Baltimore zone that sealed the Skipjacks' fate.

John Byce and Todd Hlushko provided the token resistance for the Skipjacks, who were outshot, 37-30.

Paul DiPietro and Tom Sagissor each scored twice for the Atlantic Division-leading Canadiens. Single goals came from Steve Larouche and John LeClair.

Trotz credited the Canadiens for the win.

"They are a good team out there. They play well," he said.

Baltimore sits last in the Southern Division with a 25-36-9 record, nine points behind the fourth-place Utica Devils with just nine games remaining, including three more on their Atlantic road trip. Trotz isn't giving up the ship.

"Mathematically, it's possible. Utica's got to lose some games. ohey have been, but we just haven't been winning."

Trotz had only 11 healthy skaters as scratches included Jason Wooley, Richie Walcott and Steve Seftel while Bobby Babcock, Simon Wheeldon, Dennis Smith and Jeff Greenlaw were playing hurt.