Colorado’s Tomas Fleischmann is a rather average hockey player on a rather average hockey team but based solely on his last two games — both against the Blackhawks — he was awarded the 2010-2011 Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player.
The Avalanche completed a home-away two-game sweep over the reeling and battered Blackhawks Wednesday night. Fleischmann’s four goals and two assists in the pair of games lead the way and are especially impressive considering he entered Monday’s contest in Colorado with just five goals and eight assist on the season.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was on hand Wednesday after Colorado’s 4-3 win at the United Center to award the prestigious trophy to Fleischmann who had a hat trick on the night.
“Tomas Fleischmann, today and Monday you proved that it is possible to play outstanding hockey against the defending Stanley Cup Champions even when you’re from a normally irrelevant franchise such as yours,” said Bettman, who came up to Fleischmann’s chest despite standing on a four-foot tall wooden box. “Due to your excellent scoring output the last 72 hours, I’m honored to award you the Hart Memorial Trophy seven months early.”
For his part, Fleischmann remained humble after winning the award.
“It wasn’t that hard to score all those goals,” said Fleischmann. “I was able to cut through Chicago’s defenders like Swiss cheese and their goalie is young and easily fooled.”
