FOR the second year running Olivier Martin was crowned Newcastle North Stars most valuable player last night at the team's annual awards at Club Macquarie.
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The 25-year-old goal-tender finished the regular Australian Ice Hockey League season with the lowest goals against average and looms as a match-winner for the North Stars in this weekend's finals series in Melbourne.
The Adelaide-raised Martin conceded 59 goals in 26 games at an average of 2.45, marginally in front of his great Sydney Ice Dogs rival Anthony Kimlin (2.46).
During the season Martin made 635 saves, but it was the shots blocked under intense pressure that especially impressed North Stars coach Garry Dore.
"You can't really say we wouldn't be where we are without Olivier, because we have another goalie, but he really starred in some big games for us," Dore said.
"He gave us an opportunity to work on our systems and our units because his strong playing gave us that buffer to do some experimenting without a huge risk.
"It allowed us to put more strength up forward.
"Sometimes when we were down and out, it was Olivier who really pulled us out of trouble."
It has been a dominant response to adversity from Martin. In April he lost his spot as Australia's No.1 goalie to Kimlin for the Division II(a) world titles in Croatia, where the Mighty Roos finished fourth.
Dore said Martin was a big chance of recapturing his spot.
"In his competition with Anthony Kimlin from the Sydney Ice Dogs they're neck and neck," he said.
"Anthony has got the spot and it's really up to Olivier to knock it off him. It just depends on the coach and what style of goalie he wants."
In other awards last night, Central Coast-bred forward Beau Taylor was the most valuable Australian player with 13 goals in 25 games, American import John Kennedy was the best defender and Canadian Pier-Olivier Cotnoir was the top forward.
Adam Geric's season-long commitment of commuting from the Gold Coast for Thursday night training and weekend games was rewarded with the most dedicated player honour. Jayson Chalker's successful move from forward to defender earned him the most improved player award.
