Craig Muder
UTICA OBSERVER DISPATCH

It was not the game Robert Esche wanted to play.

Sixteen saves. Five goals. And a 5-4 loss at the hands of the Russians on Tuesday in what could be Esche's only action at the Winter Olympics.

But when the history of men's hockey at the 2006 Turin Games is written, a Mohawk Valley native will go down as a participant. And considering he was the third-string goalie at the start of the Games, Esche can't be too mad about that.

"It's a frustrating thing backing up, but on the same hand there is only so much ice time to go around for everybody," Esche told the Philadelphia Daily News before Tuesday's game. "Everybody wants a chance. I think I've handled this in the best way I could."

Certainly, Esche has been a good sport. He was a star at the last major international hockey tournament, the 2004 World Cup, and earned the right to represent his country at the Olympics.

Team USA coach Peter Laviolette, however, gave the starting assignment to untested John Grahame in Game 1 against Latvia — and promptly benched Grahame after a so-so performance. Backup Rick DiPietro played in the next three games, performing adequately despite the United States' offensive woes.

Laviolette then opted to play Esche in the game against Russia — a contest that had no effect on the U.S.'s next opponent. All indications are that Laviolette will return DiPietro to the crease today against Finland in Team USA's first elimination game.

But unless the offense wakes up — or the defense plays better than it did on Tuesday — Laviolette's goalie choice won't matter much. Esche had no chance to stop three of the five goals scored on him against Russia, facing odd-man rushes that would have made fools of Patrick Roy or Martin Brodeur.

Esche is no fool. He simply didn't get a fair chance to showcase his skills.

For a while, that's going to sting. But in time, Esche will forget the pain — and remember the pride.

Robert Esche, Westmoreland, N.Y, 2006 Olympian.

Not to be taken away.

Contact Craig Muder at cmuder@utica.gannett.com.