Bowness challenges Blue Jackets after 7-3 loss to Panthers
The Columbus coach questioned his team’s response to the defeat while saying he still believes its problems can be fixed.
What's newBowness said Friday the Blue Jackets should be very angry about ranking 30th in goals-against.
Rick Bowness challenged his Columbus Blue Jackets players after Tuesday’s 7-3 home loss to the Florida Panthers, questioning whether the defeat would prompt the response he wants.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Bowness said players who were not embarrassed by the performance did not belong on the team, according to Sportsnet.
“Simple as that,” he said.
The coach also expressed confidence that Columbus could improve. He told reporters he believed in the players and the approach, and that the team could correct its problems. His warning was that anyone unmoved by the result was on the wrong team.
Columbus entered the first intermission ahead 1-0, but Florida scored four unanswered goals in the second period and three more in the third.
The loss left Columbus at 2-3-0, with three defeats in its past four games.
Bowness returned to the theme on Friday, Oct. 16, saying everyone associated with the team "should be very angry with where we are," according to NHL.com. He pointed to Columbus allowing 4.20 goals per game. "We're 30th in the League in goals-against -- 30th," he said. "I've never coached a team that was 30th in the League in goals-against."
The Blue Jackets host the New York Rangers on Saturday.
