A fuel cell assembly (10) is provided. The fuel cell assembly (10) includes a first endplate (12), a second endplate (14), a plurality of separator plates (16) provided between the first and second endplates (12) and (14), and a plurality of fuel cells (18) forming a fuel cell stack (20). Each of the fuel cells (18) is provided between adjacent ones of the separator plates (16). A plurality of oxidant flow channels (22) is formed in the separator plates (16). The oxidant flow channels (22) define a first flow passage. Each of the fuel cells (18) has an active area. A portion (28) of the separator plates (16) extends beyond the active area of the fuel cells (18) to define a second flow passage at a downstream portion of the first flow passage.