Mason edged St. Louis Blues center Patrik Berglund (6-7--13 in 15 games), Anaheim Ducks right wing Bobby Ryan (4-8--12 in 13 games), Boston Bruins left wing Blake Wheeler (5-6--11 in 13 games), Florida Panthers center Michael Frolik (4-7--11 in 14 games) and Chicago Blackhawks right wing Kris Versteeg (3-6--9 in 11 games) for the award.
Mason allowed two goals or fewer in nine of 12 games, including a career-high 47 saves in a 2-1 overtime victory over the San Jose Sharks Dec. 17 and a franchise-record three consecutive shutouts to close the month. Mason improved his season record to 12-7-1 with 1.69 goals-against average, .938 save percentage and five shutouts in 20 games. He leads the NHL in goals-against average, save percentage and shutouts (tied with Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo).
Mason was Columbus' second pick, 69th overall, in the 2006 Entry Draft. In 2007-08, the 20-year-old Oakville, Ontario native posted a 32-7-3 record with the London Knights and Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League and backstopped Canada to the gold medal at the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship by going 5-0-0 with a 1.19 goals-against average and .951 save percentage, earning tournament MVP honors. Earlier this season, Mason underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in September and was sidelined a month before making his professional debut with Syracuse Oct. 29.