Ducks Catch Break in Goal

The Ducks expected to face Phoenix’s Bob Essensa, the NHL’s hottest goalie, on Saturday. But Coyote Coach Bob Francis decided to go with rookie Robert Esche instead.

Essensa, riding an 8-0-1 streak to start the season, is 0-4 with a 2.94 goals-against average in seven games against the Ducks. Esche faced the Ducks for the first time in the regular season Saturday, although he lost to them, 4-3, in an exhibition in September.

Esche was making his 1999-2000 debut, having split time this season with Springfield of the American Hockey League and Houston of the International Hockey League.

“It’s time to get him going,” Francis said. “He has played a lot of hockey and we feel he’s ready [for the NHL].”

Esche, 22, would still be in the minors if not for a thumb injury to starter Sean Burke, acquired in a deal that sent former Duck goalie Mikhail Shtalenkov to the Florida Panthers last month.

Shtalenkov shut out the Ducks, 4-0 and 3-0, in two starts this season before being dealt Nov. 19 to the Panthers.

“I think our guys were happy when they traded Shtalenkov,” Duck Coach Craig Hartsburg joked after the game.

Winger Jim McKenzie, who had one of the Ducks’ goals in a 2-1 victory, was impressed with Esche.

“He’s going to get lots of wins in this league,” McKenzie said.

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Duck center Antti Aalto was forced from the game in the first period because of a strained left elbow. His status for Wednesday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks was not immediately known.

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Phoenix captain Keith Tkachuk suffered a strained neck when he collided with teammate Dallas Drake in the first period.