Steve Mason took Columbus by storm last winter in his first season tending goal for the Blue Jackets.
In 61 games last season Mason posted a record of 33-20-7, holding opponents to just over two goals a contest; one-third of his wins were shutouts and Mason stopped more than 91% of shots faced.
Mason led all NHL goalies in shutouts and GAA (Goals Against Average) a season ago.
As a team, Columbus totaled 92 points last season and earned a playoff berth.
It was the most successful season in franchise history, thanks in no small part to the Jackets' rookie netminder.
Mason was Columbus' third-round pick in 2006--the 69th overall player chosen in the draft and, despite pre-season knee surgery that rendered him inactive for the start of training camp, was called upon in early November after starter Pascal Leclaire went down with an injury.
Mason made the most of his opportunity that night, helping Columbus to a 5-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers.
Things only got better from there.
Mason stopped 15 total shots in a November 22 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers to earn his first career shutout as Columbus topped Atlanta, 2-0.
As November gave way to December, Mason only got better, in a remarkable 12-7-1 streak he recorded five shutouts and allowed less than a goal-and-a-half a game.
That incredible stretch of netminding garnered Mason NHL Rookie of the Month honors for November and December.
Mason's strong play in goal also earned him the starting job, and paved the way for Leclaire to be traded in a mid-season, deadline deal with Ottawa, along with a second-round pick, for Antoine Vermette.
Regrettably, a nasty, six-week bout with Mononucleosis sidelined Mason in late January and into February.
Even upon his return, Mason wasn't 100% but was thrust into duty anyway for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was that Columbus was in a playoff chase and the Leclaire trade left the Jackets without a reliable backup.
Blue Jackets General Manager Scott Howson, during the offseason, admitted that what the team did to Mason was "probably unfair" last season regarding the amount of minutes Mason was asked to log despite his illness.
Depsite the success he's already enjoyed, Mason is determined to build on last season's efforts, "I feel great. I feel ready to go," Mason said. "As much as last season was a good season for myself, I want to do even better this season."
With one game already in the books, he's off to a pretty good start.
Mason stopped 32 of the 33 shots he faced in a 2-1 Jackets victory over the Minnesota Wild.
"One season doesn't really prove anything," Mason went on. "If you want to be one of the best in the NHL, you have to do it for 10 or 15 seasons. And I want to be the best."
Check out this fascinating interview with Steve Mason.
The Jackets are in action again tonight on the road against the Vancouver Canucks. The puck will drop in that game at 10:00 p.m. on FS-Ohio.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment