Easton Cowan took full responsibility for his turnover that cost the Marlies Game 4, but it was his mentality that is the opposite of what we've seen previously.
Easton Cowan returned in Game 4 for the Marlies after missing the past two with an upper-body injury. He recorded an assist but also was responsible for the turnover that led to the game-winner for Wilkes-Barre. His post-game comments were pure emotion and regret, but Maple Leafs fans are standing firm behind the 'Cowboy'.
Cowan was a huge piece of the Marlies playoff run up until Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals where he was out with an injury, then missed Game 3. Fans were worried, but he managed to appear in Game 4 with a crucial game that could put Toronto one game away from the Calder Cup Finals.
Easton Cowan feels immediate regret and takes full responsibility for Marlies 4-3 loss in Game 4
But Toronto was on the receiving end of a heartbreaking loss, with Cowan responsible for it. With less than four minutes to go and the game tied 3-3, Cowan coughed up the puck in his own zone to Rutger McGroarty and the Penguins prospect made him pay:
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Post-game, Cowan didn't mince words and took full responsibility for his giveaway and wanted to let fans and everyone know that the accountability started and stopped with him and him only:
Yeah, I gotta be better. It starts with me. I just cost my team the game, so I gotta be better, and I will be Friday. Like I said, it starts with me. I gotta be better, and we will be. We all will be Friday.
Unfortunately, like I said, I cost my team the game. Obviously, I don't want to do that. I gotta make a better play. I can't do anything about it now. Gotta move on and be better...I know I got more, so I'll bring it Friday.
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Not only do you have to credit Cowan for his maturity but also the confidence that he knows that not only can he do better, but is clearly motivated to come in on Friday night and make an impact.
Cowan has 10 points in 15 games so far in the postseason, so he's been a big factor as to why Toronto has gotten as far as they have, but is a minus-8 and this latest defensive lapse doesn't help that; he needs to be a bit sharper but he's well aware of that.
This is what you call 'competitive accountability' and it's the first time Toronto's had that in a long time
However, there is another side to this story so to speak.
Jay Rosehill just criticized Mitch Marner's timid and 'mousy' style of play during Toronto's most critical games, and how if he would have tried to take charge then things would be different.
Fair assessment or not, Marner is the one in the Stanley Cup Finals and leading the NHL in points this postseason so maybe he's become less scared of taking risks with his supporting cast.
Contrast that to Cowan, who was almost too excited to take charge and tried to make a pass before he thought about it. It's the polar opposite - one player thinks too much about things and avoids pressure meanwhile the other dives head first whether it's a good idea or not.
Auston Matthews and William Nylander both implored the Maple Leafs to get some 'dogs' up front. Well, Cowan is showing that he plays less like a mouse and more like a Rottweiler. He wants to win, he wants to be the one to do it, and he takes risks.
For a team who was so stagnant, boring, and shy about taking over the game, Cowan is absolutely the remedy for that. He's still regretful for not fighting for Matthews months later, he's taking full accountability but also confident enough to know he's got the chops to pick it back up.
It's hard to argue that his philosophy and mentality doesn't have its risks. But what's the old adage? High-risk, high-reward. It didn't pay off this time, but the next time could be the one that pushes Cowan into yet another championship.
Do you think Easton Cowan taking responsibility for the loss was a positive or a negative thing?
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