Auston Matthews & Mitch Marner Lose Major Award to Bitter Division Rival
Photo credit: Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs forwards Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner were candidates for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, but they ultimately lost to a bitter rival from the Atlantic Division.
For those who may not know, the Frank J. Selke trophy is awarded to the forward who demonstrates the best skill when it comes to playing defense.
If you win this award, it shows that you are a phenomenal two-way hockey player who is valuable on both ends of the ice.
This season, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews were certainly in the running. However, they ultimately lost to Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, who won the award for the third time.
Aleksander Barkov wins the Frank J. Selke trophy
Barkov got to receive the award in front of his teammates. Furthermore, it was a sweet ceremony as the kids from the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital helped present the trophy.
It was a very sweet moment, and it comes just days before the Stanley Cup Final, which is set to begin on Wednesday against the Edmonton Oilers.
As for the voting, Matthews and Marner were actually considered by many of the voters. Marner was even seventh in the voting, with numerous journalists voting for him.
Meanwhile, Matthews received one first-place vote, two third-place votes, and two fifth-place votes. The captain was fourteenth in the tally.
While losing to a rival like this might sting, you cannot deny the greatness of the Florida Panthers and their talented forward group.
Barkov has now won the Selke two times in a row, and it is well-deserved. Now, he gets to fight for a second-straight Stanley Cup.
It does feel as though this is Edmonton's year, but you never know. No matter what, this is going to be an amazing series and we cannot wait to watch.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 2 | 512 ANSWERS Auston Matthews & Mitch Marner Lose Major Award to Bitter Division Rival Do you believe Auston Matthews or Mitch Marner should have won the Frank J Selke Trophy? | ||
| YES | 169 | 33 % |
| NO | 343 | 67 % |
| List of polls | ||
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