Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Pekka Rinne finishes third in Vezina voting as Henrik Lundqvist wins

In spite of leading the league in wins, Pekka Rinne finished third in this year's Vezina Trophy balloting as Henrik Lundqvist was the clear cut winner. Jonathan Quick finished second.

Make the jump for the full announcement from NHL Media Services....


Rangers' Lundqvist Wins First Vezina Trophy


After knocking on the door with third-place finishes from 2006 through 2008, Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers has captured his first Vezina Trophy, awarded to the "goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at his position," as selected by NHL General Managers. Prior to 1981-82, the Vezina was awarded to the goaltender(s) whose team allowed the fewest goals during the regular season, the current criterion for the William Jennings Trophy.

Lundqvist was named on all 30 ballots and was the top selection on 17 for 120 points, outdistancing Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings (63) and Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators (42).

Lundqvist was the anchor of a Rangers club that posted its best regular-season record since the Stanley Cup season of 1993-94 and captured first place in the Eastern Conference. He went 39-18-5 in 62 appearances, setting a career high in wins and becoming the first goaltender in NHL history with 30-plus wins in each of his first seven seasons. He placed near the top in all major goaltending categories: third in wins, tied for third in shutouts (eight), fourth in goals-against average (1.97) and fourth in save percentage (.930).

                      2011-2012 Vezina Trophy Voting

                            Pts.    1st-2nd-3rd
   1. Henrik Lundqvist, NYR     120   (17-11-2)
   2. Jonathan Quick, L.A.      63    (6-9-6)
   3. Pekka Rinne, NSH    42    (4-4-10)
   4. Mike Smith, PHX     35    (2-5-10)
   5. Brian Elliott, STL  5     (1-0-0)
   6. Jaroslav Halak, STL 3     (0-1-0)
   7. Marc-Andre Fleury, PIT    1     (0-0-1)
      Miikka Kiprusoff, CGY   1 (0-0-1)

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

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