Hockey Beat » steve mason

Steve Mason Wins 2009 Calder Trophy

Jeanne Dupuis — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:54:51 +0000

The 2009 Calder Trophy was awarded to Columbus Blue Jacket goaltender, Steve Mason, and I am thrilled! The rookie recorded 10 shutouts and helped lead his team to the playoffs for the first time.

The young netminder, who beat out Bobby Ryan (Anaheim Ducks) and Chris Versteeg (Chicago Blackhawks), had an incredible year despite suffering from mononucleosis.

I don’t know if I ever agreed with him playing while he was so sick but I am glad that his efforts have been recognized. He definitely deserved this award after the year he had even though he kind of fell apart during the postseason.

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Mason Sets Record for Shutouts, Flames Lose

Jeanne Dupuis — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 07:15:16 +0000

What the heck is going on?! The Calgary Flames, who are narrowly (and I mean narrowly) holding on to their lead in the Northwest Division have dropped two games in a row – first to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night (2-0) and then to the Columbus Blue Jackets (5-0) last night. I can’t believe they are so close to winning the division and clenching a playoff spot yet they have managed to be held scoreless for 60 whole minutes. That’s embarrassing! Is Iron Mike losing his touch?

image: TSN.ca

Anyway, the big news of the night is that Columbus goaltender, Steve Mason, stopped all 33 shots he faced and set a franchise record for shutouts. The rookie who has been battling mono has 10 shutouts this season. “We have a pretty good idea that if we’re in the playoffs this is a team we could be playing, so we wanted to have a good effort. We definitely came forward with it, that’s for sure,” Mason said.

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Goalie Mason Has Mono, Will Keep Playing

Jeanne Dupuis — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:28:03 +0000

What do you think of this one? Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender, Steve Mason, has been diagnosed with mononucleosis but his team has opted to continue playing him unless “he takes a turn for the worst.” In fact, they think he’s been ill for about a month.

I understand that he’s got the best GAA in the league (2.06) and leads in shutouts (7) but I seriously hope they aren’t pushing this kid too hard. He’s a rookie and while it is true that he’s cranking out a performance that will make him a top contender for the Calder Trophy, I hope they are making his health a priority.

The Mayo Clinic and most other sites say that someone with mono should be resting and taking in as much fluid as possible. Mason is doing the opposite – he’s working very hard and he’s sweating out a ton of fluid. The disease has some serious complications too – enlargement/rupture of the spleen, liver issues, inflammation of the heart, swollen tonsils that obstruct breathing, etc… Even better is the fact that Mason could spread this to his teammates.

Honestly, I just think this is an overall bad idea. If he’s got an enlarged spleen and he gets hit, things could turn tragic. I know it sucks to have to sit out when you are doing so well but you don’t think Sidney Crosby was hurt to sit out of two All-Star games? You don’t think Martin Brodeur was crushed to be sidelined on the cusp of making history this season (and, yes, with a torn bicep he could have played – I saw guys doing that at the Super Bowl yesterday). They didn’t play because it’s stupid.

image: TSN

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NHL Saves of the Week: December 11, 2008

Jeanne Dupuis — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:00:10 +0000

I love saves and, let me tell you, there are some good ones in here. The goaltender that really stood out for me last week was Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets (who happens to appear twice in these highlights). Check out the video:

Here’s the list, tell me if you think there was a save elsewhere in the league that deserved to be mentioned:

10. Josh Harding (Minnesota Wild) robs Nashville with glove save
9. Johan Hedberg (Atlanta Thrashers) shuts down Montreal Canadiens
8. Henrik Lundqvist (New York Rangers) stops two great Habs shots
7. Pascal Leclaire (Columbus Blue Jackets) uses left leg to stop Anaheim Ducks
6. Nik Backstrom (Minnesota Wild) closes the door on Colorado Avalanche
5. Mathieu Garon (Edmonton Oilers) stops Dallas Stars shot on the line!
4. Steve Mason (Columbus Blue Jackets) makes killer save on San Jose Sharks
3. Steve Mason (Columbus Blue Jackets) absolutely robs Vancouver Canucks
2. Ryan Miller (Buffalo Sabres) gets back in net in time to stop Nashville Preds
1. Evgeni Nabokov (San Jose Sharks) denies Kristian Huselius (Blue Jackets)

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