Jacob Fowler Wins 30th Game Of The Season In Providence Regional

Montreal Canadiens prospect Jacob Fowler stood on his head, putting in a heroic effort against Michigan Tech who came out fast and furious.

Fowler did have some goal support by Cutter Gauthier who opened the scoring for the Boston College Eagles. Michigan Tech tied the game with a shorthanded tally. If not for Fowler doing Fowler things, the Eagles might have limped into the first intermission licking their wounds.

Fowler took the game over early and steadied the ship while sailing through stormy waters. Thankfully for him, the Eagles' brilliant offence found their footing in the second frame with a Ryan Leonard tally. It was the lone goal of the period and would end up becoming an important one.

The Eagles offence exploded in the final frame with a four-goal outburst. But if not for Fowler's continued impressive play in the most important games of the season, BC might have been given quite a scare. Fowler, however, has developed an understanding with his forwards, if he holds down the fort early on, the goal support is expected in the latter half of the game.

The Canadiens hopeful starting goaltender of the future has been on a tear lately, winning 11 in a row. Four of those 11 wins have come in Hockey East finals and NCAA tournament action. He has saved 115/123 shots that he has faced in those games.

It's easy to talk the talk and impress an NHL scouting staff, especially backing it up with great numbers and an unbelievable record. But he has followed up his ridiculous USHL Clark Cup championship with an impressive NCAA freshman season. His 30-5-1 record ties him with Al Montoya for the most wins (30) by a freshman goaltender in NCAA history.

With Fowler's 22-save effort against Michigan Tech securing a 6-1 win, the Canadiens now have Lane Hutson and Luke Tuch moving a step closer to the Frozen Four. With a win on Saturday against the University of Minnesota (Rhett Pitlick & Luke Mittedlstadt) the Boston University Terriers will secure their place in the NCAA Frozen Four. BC will play against Quinnipiac University in the Providence regional final on Sunday afternoon.

Being drafted by the Canadiens is a feat in itself, but less than a season into his time as a Habs prospect, Fowler has turned heads. He certainly puts a bunch of pressure on himself, which is a sign of his mentality being in the right place. When he arrives in Montreal/Laval the pressure isn't going to dissipate, so preparing himself mentally right now will serve him well.

With a win Sunday, Fowler will become the winningest freshman goaltender with 31 wins, but even if he doesn't, he shouldn't hang his head. The season he has put together is mightily impressive. He wasn't the top goalie in his draft class selected, but he could end up becoming one of, if not the top goalie when all is said and done.