Bruins goalies Fernandez, Thomas earn monthly honor

Jan 2, 2009 - 10:24 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Boston Bruins goaltenders Manny Fernandez and Tim Thomas, who combined to post a 12-1-0 record and a 2.00 goals-against average in 13 games, on Friday were named co-recipients of the NHL's "First Star" award for December.

Philadelphia Flyers center Jeff Carter received "Second Star" honors, while Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin was dubbed the month's "Third Star."

Fernandez posted a 5-1-0 record with a 1.58 GAA and one shutout in six starts, while Thomas won all seven of his starts with a 2.40 GAA and one shutout.

Their efforts helped the Bruins conclude the month of December with a 28-5-4 overall record, the top mark in the league and Boston's best start to a season since 1929-30 (32-4-1).

Fernandez notched his 15th career shutout with 27 saves in a 4-0 victory at Florida on December 6, and faced 30 or more shots in each of his last three wins.

Thomas posted five of his seven victories on the road, including a 25-save performance in recording his 10th career shutout on December 23 at New Jersey.

Carter tied for the lead among NHL scorers with 21 points in 14 games as the Flyers went 9-3-2 in December.

He recorded points in 11 of 14 games, including goals in nine contests. He posted five multiple-point games, highlighted by two goals and two assists in a 7-1 victory against Washington on December 20.

Carter leads the NHL with 27 goals and ranks ninth in overall scoring 43 points.

Ovechkin tallied a league-best 12 goals as the Capitals posted an 11-3-0 record in December.

The reigning Hart Trophy winner, Ovechkin notched a club-record sixth career overtime goal in a 5-4 win over the New York Islanders on December 16 and tallied two goals and one assist as Washington overcame a 4-0 deficit to defeat the New York Rangers, 5-4, in overtime on December 23.

Ovechkin ranks second in the NHL scoring race with 26 goals and 52 points.