Steve Mason is on Track for Team Canada

Columbus Blue Jackets starting goalie Steve Mason is making a strong case at being named the starting goalie for Canada at the upcoming 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Heading into the season not many were considering that possibility with the 21 year-old who won 33 games last season and posted a nifty 2.29 GAA in winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. On Tuesday night Mason continued to show that last year was no fluke as he made 40 saves in what was a 5-3 Blue Jackets win against the Vancouver Canucks. In what was a complete oddity Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo who is among the heavy favorites to get that Olympics starting job was anything but stellar on this night. This nine- year veteran who now has an unflattering 4.56 GAA yielded at one point three Columbus goals in just under four minutes of play. Luongo who in the off -season signed a 64 million 12 year contract was pulled early in the second period after making only eight saves on the night.  Mason who as a rookie led the league with nine shutouts and placed second in the Vezina Trophy race refuses to get carried away in what his strong start might mean in terms of coming from under the radar to snag that starting Olympic job. “Every goaltender at that camp (August Canadian Olympic camp) has a ton of talent and for myself being the youngest one, it’s motivation in itself to be part of that group and potentially get a berth on that hockey club,” Mason who set the tone for the season by making 32 saves in the Blue Jackets 2-1 home opening win against the Minnesota Wild said. “Once the season starts anything can happen so for myself I want to put the right foot forward right now and hopefully all goes well and I’ll be named to that team.” Mason who after two games has a 2.00 GAA and a .947 save percentage was at his best in the final 40 minutes against the Canucks as he faced thirty shots and made several spectacular saves which didn’t go unnoticed by his teammate Rick Nash. “He’s got to be the best player on the team for us to have a chance to go far,” Rick Nash said. “He was steady all last year and he’s been great in the two games we played this year and that’s what we need from him.” There is absolutely no question that former 1997 New York Islanders first round pick in Luongo will recover from his slow start and have many sterling nights before any decisions are made regarding the Canadian Olympic team. Still no one should dismiss the notion that Mason who continues to prove himself should get serious consideration to lead Canada at the February games.