New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Ottawa Senators goaltender and rookie sensation Andrew Hammond was named the NHL's First Star for the month of March.
Hammond has pulled Ottawa into the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race since his recall from Binghamton of the AHL. He finished the month 10-1-1 with a 2.09 goals-against average and .930 save percentage.
The Bowling Green product began his NHL career by allowing two goals or fewer in each of his first 12 starts, tying the league record set by Boston's Frank Brimsek in 1939. The 27-year-old Canadian also became the first netminder since Patrick Lalime in 1997 to earn at least one point in his first 15 career starts.
Calgary forward Jiri Hudler earned Second Star honors thanks to leading the league with 13 assists and 23 points. The Czech pivot recorded at least one point in 12 of his 15 appearances last month, including nine multi-point efforts, and began March with four straight multi-point contests for the first time in his career.
Third Star was awarded to Minnesota Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk. The 28-year- old Saskatchewan native continued his stellar play since arriving in the Twin Cities, topping the NHL with 11 wins along with a 1.78 GAA and .942 save percentage. Dubnyk ended up with a 6-0-0 record away from home, helping the Wild set a team record with 10 straight wins on the road.
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