COURIER POST ONLINE

NOVEMBER 9, 2005

When he's not stopping pucks in games and practices, Flyers goaltender Robert Esche is getting his groove in an attempt to become a better netminder.

For the past several days Esche and Patricia Knight of Precision Timing of Newtown, Pa., have turned a second-floor room at the SkateZone in Voorhees into an interactive metronome.

What's an interactive metronome, you ask? From outside the glass-enclosed room, Esche looks like he's listening to a Kenny Chesney CD as he taps his feet, slaps his hips and does everything but swing an imaginary lasso over his head.

He said he is actually listening to a variety of sounds while reacting to specific noises such as cowbells.

"Guitarists, drummers and pianists do it a lot," said Esche, who is a country music-playing guitarist. "It's how this program started, for artists."

Esche learned about Precision Timing through Flyers athletic trainer Jim McCrossin, who had heard Florida Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo tried the 12-session program during training camp.

"With the way the games are now, you can't be off at all," Esche said, referring to the spike in offensive chances. "I want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to get an edge."

During his sessions, Esche tries to establish a rhythm with one sound while blocking out others designed to distract him.

"It teaches you to keep your focus longer," he said. "You can focus on one thing while not paying attention to other things."

"They're finding it has all sorts of benefits," Esche said. "We're already physically fit and this is just another thing on top of what I'm already doing. Eventually, all athletes can only get to a certain level physically. (Knight's) point is that eventually mentally we'll have to get better. Anybody out there can get better mentally."

Esche began the one-hour sessions last week and will continue them through next week.

"I asked if this is something I have to do all year long to keep my reaction time and (Knight) said no, it's 12 sessions to teach you how to do it.

"Only time will tell if it works. Even if it doesn't work for hockey, I'll play guitar like you can't believe."

AHL graduates: Tuesday night's game featured 16 players who played in last year's American Hockey League Eastern Conference Finals between the Phantoms and the Providence Bruins.

Loose pucks: Former Bruin Mike Knuble scored for the Flyers Tuesday night. . . . Simon Gagne's goal, his 16th of the season, extended his goal streak to four games (7 goals). Peter Forsberg's assist streak is now at six (12). . . . R.J. Umberger recorded his first NHL point with an assist on Pitkanen's game-tying goal. The Flyers have not lost at home since their season opener. The Bruins are winless in their last six road games (0-3-3). . . . G Robert Esche is 7-0-1 in his last eight starts. -- Chuck Gormley