Esche steps in and blanks Ducks 1/3/2003
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Robert Esche has given Ken Hitchcock the luxury of resting Roman Cechmanek a lot more often than other coaches can afford to sit their top goaltender.
Esche made 28 saves for his fifth career shutout, and Keith Primeau scored a power-play goal as the Philadelphia Flyers snapped the Anaheim Mighty Ducks' club-record six-game home winning streak with a 1-0 victory Friday night.
Esche, who has both of the Flyers' shutouts in just 12 starts, lowered his goals-against average to 1.83. The five-year veteran, obtained with Michal Handzus from Phoenix in a trade for goalie Brian Boucher in June, has allowed more than two goals in only one of his last seven starts.