[News] Hudler named NHL 2nd star for March

[sureLoss]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=760970&cmpid=nhl-twt

FIRST STAR – ANDREW HAMMOND, G, OTTAWA SENATORS

Hammond went 10-1-1 with a 2.09 goals-against average and .930 save percentage to help the Senators (38-26-12, 88 points) complete an 11-3-2 March and climb within three points of the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. He allowed two or fewer goals in nine of his 12 appearances, including his first seven of the month. With his run, Hammond became the second goaltender in NHL history to yield two or fewer goals in each of his first 12 career starts (Frank Brimsek: 1938-39). Hammond also improved to 14-0-1 before suffering his first career regulation loss March 26 vs. NYR, becoming the first goaltender to record at least one point in each of his first 15 career starts since Patrick Lalime in 1996-97 (14-0-2). The 27-year-old White Rock, B.C., native has appeared in 18 games this season, compiling a 1.85 goals-against average, .938 save percentage and two shutouts. That includes an 8-0-1 record on the road, where he has a 1.08 goals-against average, .964 save percentage and both shutouts.

SECOND STAR – JIRI HUDLER, C, CALGARY FLAMES

Hudler led all players with 13 assists and 23 points to power the Flames (42-28-7, 91 points) to a 9-3-3 March, helping the team jump from the outside of the playoff picture and into third place in the Pacific Division. He registered at least one point in 12 of his 15 outings, highlighted by nine multi-point performances. That included four consecutive multi-point games to open the month, the first such run of his career, and three-point efforts March 13 vs. TOR (1-2-3) and March 29 at NSH (1-2-3). Hudler also recorded a pair of game-winning goals: March 3 at PHI (his second career overtime goal) and March 6 at DET. His 23 points were the most by any player in one calendar month this season and the most by any Flames player in one calendar month since December 2006 (Jarome Iginla: 10-16-26). The 31-year-old Olomouc, Czech Republic, native shares seventh in the NHL with 29-42-71 in 74 games this season, leading the Flames and establishing career highs in all three categories.

THIRD STAR – DEVAN DUBNYK, G, MINNESOTA WILD

Dubnyk paced the NHL with 11 wins, compiling a 1.78 goals-against average and .942 save percentage to lead the Wild (44-25-7, 95 points) to an 11-3-0 March and the first Wild Card position in the Western Conference. He yielded two or fewer goals in 11 of his 14 appearances, which included a pair of shootout victories – March 3 vs. OTT and March 24 at NYI. Dubnyk also posted a perfect 6-0-0 mark on the road (1.15 GAA, .966 SV%), helping the Wild set a franchise record with 10 consecutive road victories dating to Feb. 18. The 28-year-old Regina, Sask., native has started all 34 games since joining Minnesota Jan. 15, going 26-6-1 with a 1.70 goals-against average, .939 save percentage and five shutouts in that span. Overall, he ranks second in the NHL this season in both goals-against average (2.05) and save percentage (.930) while setting career highs with 35 wins and six shutouts in 53 appearances.

[sureLoss]

Sean Kelso @kelsohockey
Congrats to @NHLFlames Jiri Hudler as the NHL's 2nd star of the Month. His 23 pts is the 2nd most by any player in the last 20 years.

[codynw]

Hudler got robbed.

[AC]

Bull####, Hammond should have lost it after stumbling this last week.

[Gaudfather]

Robbed by the Hamburgler!

Well deserved Jiri!

[polak]

Can't argue with that too much.

[gonzo29]

Hammond had 10 wins but 2.09 and .930 in a month is something that is not all that rare. Scoring the second most points in a month in the last 20 years (according to Kelso, not sure if that's right) is far more special. Doesn't really matter that much in the end, but I agree that Jiri was robbed.

[GioforPM]

Hammond was bound to get it with all the press. Plus his record was really good. But while his story was incredible, I'd say Dubnyk performed better and made a slightly bigger impact.

Hard to value the goalies versus Hudler in this kind of award.

Oh, and congrats on the only NHL award you will ever win Hammond.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Sean Kelso @kelsohockey
Congrats to @NHLFlames Jiri Hudler as the NHL's 2nd star of the Month. His 23 pts is the 2nd most by any player in the last 20 years.

I'm guessing that should read any Flames player?

In the link in the OP, it says Iggy got 26 points in December 2006.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Dubnyk not getting first star is criminal. Should have been Dubnyk, Hudler, and then maybe Hammond.

[Red Menace]

We've seen similar Goalie months this season from Price, Rinne and others, but no other Fwd has come close to Jiri's incredible results.
This shouldn't have even been close, but it doesn't surprise me much as there never seems to be all that much thought put into these things.

[Buster]

keep on under-estimating us, hockey world.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Buster

keep on under-estimating us, hockey world.

Not sure how Hudler being the second star is underestimating the flames.

Thats one hell of a month by Hudler. 23 points is crazy as a quick look at the league leaders the most in a month I can find is 18.

[Yamer]

Some sour grapes in here for sure.

Being named the 2nd best player in the entire league for an absolutely crucial month of the season is incredible.

Way to go, Jiri.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by Yamer

Some sour grapes in here for sure.

Being named the 2nd best player in the entire league for an absolutely crucial month of the season is incredible.

Way to go, Jiri.

But he wasn't the second best, he was THE best.

Hammond and his lame nickname are overrated and annoying.

I will admit I'm biased as the Sens really annoy me.

[CgyFlamesftw]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Not sure how Hudler being the second star is underestimating the flames.

Thats one hell of a month by Hudler. 23 points is crazy as a quick look at the league leaders the most in a month I can find is 18.

Exactly. If closest on any month was 18, how does hudler end up second star. Another note, how is dubnyk 3rd with those numbers? More people on the Hammond hype train??

[c.t.ner]

First not making the Olympic team and now this... Jiri Hudler is the Rodney Dangerfield of the Czech hockey. Guy gets no respect.

[Huntingwhale]

I'm not to worried about Hudler getting robbed. Flames have been robbing teams all season logn.

[Lil Pedro]

I wonder if guys have performance bonuses in their contracts for being one of the three starts of the month? Anyone know?

[thymebalm]

I was upset at first when I heard he only got 2nd star, and then I remembered that the Hamburglar set an NHL record in the month of March.

Congratulations to Jiri Hudler, you are a dream come true for this team.