Ondrej Pavelec named NHL ‘First Star’ of the Week

It has been quite the week of redemption for the Jets netminder who went from backup to back in the starters spot as he has helped propel the Jets forward towards the playoffs.

Jets Release:

The Winnipeg Jets hockey club, in conjunction with the National Hockey League, is proud to announce that goaltender Ondrej Pavelec has been named the NHL ‘First Star’ of the Week ending March 22/15.

Pavelec, 27, helped Winnipeg to a 3-0-0 record last week as he started in wins over San Jose, St. Louis, and Washington. Pavelec denied 98-of-101 shots he faced over the three games – producing a .970 save percentage, 0.97 goals against average – and also posted a 28-save shutout in his most recent start on Mar. 21 versus Washington (3-0 W). He has started and won the Jets’ last four games dating back to Mar. 14 at Tampa Bay (2-1 W).

On the season, Pavelec has compiled a record of 17-14-7 with a .916 save percentage, 2.40 goals against average, and two shutouts. Pavelec currently holds the best save percentage of his career.

In being honoured by the NHL, Pavelec* joins the Senators’ Kyle Turris and the Lightning’s Ben Bishop, respectively named the second and third stars of the week.

This marks the second time this season that a member of the Winnipeg Jets was named the NHL’s ‘First Star’. Dustin Byfuglien was recognized earlier this season for the week ending Jan. 18/15. This is also the second time in Pavelec’s career that he has been recognized as the NHL’s ‘First Star’ of the week. He previously earned the honour during the 2010-11 season, named the NHL’s First Star for the week ending Nov. 28/10.

*Release originally had Byfuglien’s name but I suspect they meant Pavelec.