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AWARDS NOTEBOOK

by By STEPHEN HARRIS , The Boston Herald


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LAS VEGAS - Alex Ovechkin didn't have a lot of luck Wednesday night when he played in a celebrity poker tournament, getting knocked out early. But the Washington Capitals star's fortunes were a little better at last night's NHL Awards, as the 23-year-old Russian captured the Hart Memorial Trophy as the most valuable player.

Ovechkin earned the Hart for the second year in a row - becoming the first since goalie Dominik Hasek (1997-98) to repeat, and the first forward since Wayne Gretzky (1984-85) to do so.

The dynamic and charismatic Ovechkin led the NHL with 56 goals this season.

Whomever won the Hart, it was bound to be a big headline-maker in Moscow and points east, as the other MVP finalists were also Russian - Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk and Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin.

Ovechkin also was a repeat winner of the Pearson Award, voted by players as the best in the game.

``I'm happy to be here,'' said Ovechkin. ``What a life.''

Seeing Blue

The Calder Trophy as the top rookie went to 21-year-old Columbus goalie Steve Mason, who led the NHL with 10 shutouts. Bruin Blake Wheeler finished sixth and Matt Hunwick 14th.

The Selke Trophy (defensive forward) again went to Datsyuk, with Bruin David Krejci sixth.

The Masterton Memorial Trophy (perseverance, dedication, sportsmanship) went to Nashville's Steve Sullivan. The Lady Byng Trophy, for a fourth straight year, went to Datsyuk. . . .

Tim Thomas and Zdeno Chara made the first All-Star team, joined by defenseman Mike Green of Washington and forwards Malkin, Calgary's Jarome Iginla and Ovechkin. The second team was Mason, Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom, San Jose's Dan Boyle, Datsyuk, Detroit's Marian Hossa and New Jersey's Zach Parise.

Case won

After a season-long process, the Bruins prevailed in the arbitration sought by Glen Murray, whom the B's bought out of the final year of his contract last summer.

Under the terms of the buyout, Murray received two-thirds of the $4.1 million he was due this past season, payable in two $1.38 million payments, this season and next season. But he contended later that he was injured at the end of last season and thus could not be bought out. The arbiter, however, didn't agree. . . .

Bruins goalie Manny Fernandez, told by Boston doctors there is no reason his back woes will reoccur, is leaning toward playing one more year - if he gets offers after the free agent market opens July 1.

He said he loved his time as a Bruin , revealing he would have gladly returned as a No. 2, but said he knows it is time for Tuukka Rask to move up.

Fernandez was on hand to accept the William Jennings Trophy (fewest goals against) with teammate Thomas. The award was presented by Andy Moog and Reggie Lemelin, the netminding pair who won the award with the Bruins back in 1989-90.

Copyright 2009 Boston Herald Inc.
 
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