Jacob Fowler blamed himself after the loss to the Red Wings - but not everyone agrees
Photo credit: Screenshot / Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens goaltender, Jacob Fowler, made an interesting statement Saturday night during his postgame media availability after the loss to the Red Wings.
He named a culprit for what happened on the visitors' first goal: himself.
After the loss to Detroit, Jacob Fowler didn't look for excuses. In front of the media, the Canadiens goaltender took the blame for the first goal. He explained that the decision to stay in or come out was his to make. And he acknowledged that it hurts to learn that lesson that way.
In a market like Montreal, that kind of statement always makes an impact. Because fans quickly sense when a player takes responsibility.
Fowler didn't point to a teammate, nor to bad luck. He simply said that he needs to manage that sequence better.
A culprit that doesn't get unanimous support: Jacob Fowler shouldn't put this all on his shoulders
Fowler, drafted by the Canadiens in 2023, 69th overall, did not sound discouraged at all, however. He sounded responsible.
"Ultimately I gotta be the guy to make the decision to stay in or not and (the puck) doesn't go in if I stay in the net. It's another thing you learn from and it sucks to learn the hard way." - Jacob Fowler, via HabsOnRedit
He talked about a decision that has to be made in a fraction of a second. Then he said that the puck doesn't go in if the decision is the right one.
Martin St-Louis, for his part, likes it when his players are honest. A goaltender who looks himself in the mirror helps the locker room. Because it removes the temptation to look for someone else to blame. And it keeps the group on the same page, even after a loss.
Obviously, no one wants to see a young player get chewed up and spit out. But when a goaltender takes responsibility publicly, it changes the perception.
That said, several experts strongly disagree with Fowler and believe he shouldn't be taking the blame like this:
"Admire his accountability, but he didn't make the wrong decision. Puck was on the boards, not the glass. Part of his job is to come out and try to stop it. Especially at 0-0, in the fifth minute of the second period."
- Eric Engels, Sportsnet
- Eric Engels, Sportsnet
And you, what is your opinion on this?
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