Jacob Fowler Earns First Career AHL Shutout in 4-0 Laval Rocket Playoff Victory
Laval, QC – May 3, 2025 — Jacob Fowler etched his name into Laval Rocket history on Friday night, delivering a flawless performance between the pipes to secure his first career AHL shutout. The 19-year-old netminder turned aside all 31 shots he faced, backstopping Laval to a dominant 4-0 win over the Belleville Senators in Game 3 of their North Division semifinal series.
The victory not only gave Laval a 2-1 edge in the best-of-five series but also marked a defining moment in the young goaltender’s professional journey. Fowler, a 2023 third-round pick by the Montreal Canadiens, showed poise beyond his years in his AHL playoff debut. Calm, composed, and technically sharp, Fowler anchored the Rocket from start to finish, drawing loud chants from the Place Bell crowd throughout the night.
“He’s been working hard all season, and tonight was a big moment for him,” said Rocket head coach Jean-François Houle. “He gave us the confidence we needed. The team fed off his energy and his saves.”
Laval came out strong in front of their home fans, opening the scoring midway through the first period when forward Jesse Ylönen ripped a wrist shot past Belleville’s Mads Søgaard on a power play. Lucas Condotta extended the lead early in the second, finishing off a slick passing sequence for his second goal of the playoffs.
The Rocket kept their foot on the gas, with Jan Mysak adding a third tally just minutes later. The 3-0 cushion allowed Fowler to settle into his rhythm, and he stood tall during a critical Belleville power play late in the second, making a sprawling pad save that brought the crowd to its feet.
Mitchell Stephens sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the final minute, but the night belonged to Fowler.
“It’s something I’ll remember forever,” Fowler said postgame. “The guys in front of me were awesome. They kept shots to the outside and cleared rebounds. I just had to stay focused and do my job.”
With Laval now just one win away from advancing to the North Division Finals, all eyes will be on Game 4. Whether Fowler gets the nod again or not, Friday’s performance made it clear: the Rocket’s future in net looks bright.
Game 4 is set for Sunday night in Laval, with puck drop at 7:00 p.m.