CRAIG MUDER
Observer-Dispatch

UTICA -- The 2004-05 National Hockey League season continues to slip away amidst the owners' lockout.

But for hockey fans in the Mohawk Valley, the work stoppage means some of the NHL's brightest stars are making a rare appearance at local arenas.

Philadelphia Flyers goalie Robert Esche, who lives in Westmoreland, announced the rosters Thursday for his "Chico and Friends Challenge" Nov. 11 at the Utica Memorial Auditorium and Nov. 12-13 at the Clinton Arena. About 30 NHL

players are expected to participate in the three 4-on-4 exhibitions, with all proceeds benefiting Esche's Save of the Day Foundation for Mohawk Valley children with life-threatening illnesses.

All three games start at 7 p.m.

"We'll probably never see guys like this play here again, at least not for a while," said Esche, who will play in all three games. "I know some fans are upset about the lockout, but these players are giving up their own time to come in and help out. You can't say enough about them."

The headliners include former Buffalo Sabres and current Ottawa Senators goalie Dominik Hasek; Mark Recchi of the Pittsburgh Penguins; Keith Primeau of the Philadelphia Flyers; John Madden and Jamie Langenbrunner of the New Jersey Devils; Eric Weinrich of the St. Louis Blues (and formely of the old AHL Utica Devils); and Joe Nieuwendyk of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Each game will have two 30-minute periods and one intermission.

"It won't take long to get your legs under you and get going, so it's going to be great," said Recchi, Esche's former teammate with the Flyers. "Just being with Eschie again and all the guys is going to be a lot of fun."

Tickets are $15 for all seats, and are available at the Aud or Arena box office or by calling 736-0710. Tickets for the Nov. 11 game at the Aud are also available online at ticketmaster.com.

About 800 combined tickets remain for the two dates at the Clinton Arena, which seats 2,600 for hockey. A ceremony honoring the Clinton Comets of the old Eastern Hockey League will be held at the Nov. 12 game, with former Comets Jack Kane, Ian Anderson, Borden Smith and Bill Bannerman among those scheduled to attend.

About 2,000 tickets are still available for the Nov. 11 date in Utica.

To date, Esche's Save of the Day Foundation has raised $250,000 for local children and their families.

For more information or to refer a child, visit saveoftheday.org online.

CHICO AND FRIENDS CHALLENGE

What: 4-on-4 hockey games featuring NHL players

When: Nov. 11 at Utica Memorial Auditorium; Nov. 12-13 at Clinton Arena; all games at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $15 apiece; available at Aud and Arena box office, by calling 736-0710 or (for Nov. 11 game only) online at ticketmaster.com.