Fowler Stonewall’s BU In Hockey East Championship Game

The Montreal Canadiens have had incredible luck with goaltenders throughout their storied history. 

From George Hainsworth to Georges Vezina, Jacques Plante, Ken Dryden and Patrick Roy. More recently Carey Price was the Habs' best player for much of his career, right up until he prioritized the team above his health for a Stanley Cup finals berth. Now with the crease being manned by Samuel Montembeault and Cayden Primeau, the organization lacks a bona fide elite starting goaltender. 

Meanwhile in Boston, the Boston College Terriers played in the Hockey East championship game against their city rival Boston University Terriers on Saturday night. Two formidable squads took to battle, with San Jose Sharks prospect Will Smith fueling the Eagles offence with his four goals and one assist. But perhaps the biggest story of the night came from the masked man who guarded the crease for BC.

Without much argument, it’s easy to say that the Montreal Canadiens' top prospect Jacob Fowler was the Eagles' best player. In a game with the title of Hockey East’s best team on the line, Fowler was all business. BU’s potent offence was relatively quiet, or at least you would think so, given the 6-2 final score in favour of the Eagles. 

The Terriers fired 36 shots Fowler’s way, 34 of which he managed to keep out of the back of his net. The sheer number is easy to scoff at; since they could have been low-danger chances. But that’s not the case, Fowler made many ten-bell saves and, although he was poised and well-positioned, they weren’t as easy as he made them look. 

Macklin Celebrini was limited to just one goal. Lane Hutson also registered just one single assist, which came on Celebrini’s goal. The projected 2024 number-one overall selection registered eight shots and Hutson fired two at Fowler, but he was square to make the saves. 

Which was the story of the night. Positionally Fowler was comfortable between his posts and his rebound control was on point, limiting second chances. His confidence and calm, cool demeanour were reminiscent of No. 31 who guarded the net for so long in Montreal. 

Fowler saved his best performance of his freshman year for the most important game of his season. Mentally he was locked in the entire night and he tracked the puck flawlessly.  It’s incredible that he just continues to get better, but it’s coming at the right time with plenty of important games on the horizon. 

It’s easy to overrate prospects, but what Fowler is doing in his first season of college hockey is impressive. The moment never seems too big for him and he elevates his game when the pressure rises. He is a gamer in every sense and a fierce competitor with ice in his veins. 

Canadiens management has some solid goaltending talent working up through the ranks but Fowler has the best job of convincing many that he has NHL number-one goalie potential.