Fernandez nets shutout

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Minnesota coach Jacques Lemaire didn't expect such sharp goaltending from Manny Fernandez.

"It's been a long time for him not playing, over a month," Lemaire said. "It was surprising he played so well."

Fernandez, making his first start since missing 13 games with an injured right knee, got his seventh career shutout as the Wild blanked the Philadelphia Flyers 1-0 on Monday night and tied a franchise record with their 12th road victory in just their 27th game away from home.

Fernandez, hurt against Los Angeles on Jan. 6, turned away 30 shots in his first shutout of the season.

"I was no more nervous than any other game," said Fernandez, who has a 12-8-1 record. "I definitely didn't feel great on every shot, but I felt pretty good out there."

Minnesota didn't win its 12th road game last season until its 68th game, and 36th away from home.

"I think we got the guys to use their speed a little more than the first or second year," Lemaire said of the team's recent success. "We are better with the puck. We are capable of making plays. It seems we manage to get the goals at the right time, which gives us the wins."

Fernandez was rarely tested as Minnesota's tenacious defense helped send the Flyers to their eighth shutout loss of the season, the most since they were blanked eight times in 1969-70.

Philadelphia coach Ken Hitchcock answered one question at his postgame media conference.

"We outplayed them, we just didn't finish," Hitchcock said. "We didn't score on the second and third opportunities. We knew what type of game it would be and we missed on a lot of chances. When you are in this situation, you have to get people to step up."

Pascal Dupuis stepped up for the Wild. He scored the only goal at 14:11 of the first period, converting a one-timer from the slot on a give-and-go with Jim Dowd. It was his 14th goal of the season.

Philadelphia, which came in with a three-game unbeaten streak (2-0-1), has scored two goals or less in seven straight games.

"Tonight was just missed opportunities," Philadelphia's Mark Recchi said. "There's no sense in getting all excited. We had a good stretch after the All-Star break and hit a little bump here tonight. Hitch has a good beat on this team. We will correct a few things."

Flyers goaltender Roman Cechmanek faced only 19 shots.

Fernandez made his best saves against Todd Warriner, stopping close shots by the Philadelphia forward late in the second period and again with two minutes left.

Notes: The Flyers hadn't lost to the Wild in three previous games (2-0-1) against the third-year team. ... Cechmanek started his season-high sixth straight game.

Minnesota 1 0 0 -- 1

Philadelphia 0 0 0 -- 0

First Period--1, Minnesota, Dupuis 14 (Dowd, Marshall), 14:11. Penalties--Johnson, Min, major (fighting), 2:48; Fedoruk, Phi, major (fighting), 2:48; Bombardir, Min (hooking), 2:52; Somik, Phi (tripping), 2:52; Brown, Min, major (fighting), 14:00; Fedoruk, Phi, major (fighting), 14:00; Ronning, Min (slashing), 18:18.

Second Period--None. Penalties--Brashear, Phi (interference), 9:34; Zholtok, Min (hooking), 11:09.

Third Period--None. Penalties--Recchi, Phi, double minor (high-sticking), 13:14.

Shots on goal--Minnesota 5-5-9--19. Philadelphia 9-10-11--30.

Power-play Opportunities--Minnesota 0 of 3; Philadelphia 0 of 2.

Goalies--Minnesota, Fernandez 12-8-1 (30 shots-30 saves). Philadelphia, Cechmanek 20-13-6 (19-18).

A--19,143 (19,519). T--2:17.

Referees--Terry Gregson, Greg Kimmerly. Linesmen--Derek Amell, Brian Murphy.