May 18--Corey Crawford couldn't prevent a loss in Game 3 of the Blackhawks' first-round series against the Blues, but he did get a consolation prize: His four straight stops on a flurry of shots won "save of the year" in fan voting.
Now the goaltender may add another accolade if it turns out he received more votes than Patrick Kane for Most Valuable Blackhawk. The team will announce the winner Wednesday.
Six of Crawford's plays were nominated for save of the year, along with three by Scott Darling, but on April 17 Crawford survived a barrage by the Blues in the second period.
In one sequence, he stopped Jori Lehtera's shot, then spotted Vladimir Tarasenko through a tangle of bodies in the crease and blocked his shot -- without a stick -- and then another one off the rebound, and finally gloved a third attempt by Tarasenko off a pass by Jay Bouwmeester.
Kane was the first fan-choice award winner for best forward earlier this month, and fans later recognized Niklas Hjalmarsson (best defenseman), Artemi Panarin (best newcomer) and Andrew Shaw (unsung hero). Jonathan Toews joining Twitter was chosen as the team's best social moment.
The winner of the last category, play of the year, will be announced Thursday.
plthompson@tribpub.com
