Cowan takes responsibility for Flames loss as Hiller points to team mistakes

Easton Cowan blamed his own mistakes for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 5-2 loss to the Calgary Flames on Monday, but coach Jim Hiller said responsibility extended throughout the lineup.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Cowan pointed to a first-period turnover that led to Mikael Backlund’s goal and roughing penalties that preceded Matvei Gridin’s power-play goal. Sportsnet reported that Cowan felt his frustration over the giveaway had contributed to the penalties.

Cowan took a double minor for roughing at the end of the first period, and Gridin scored on the ensuing power play 25 seconds into the second to give Calgary a 3-0 lead.

Cowan later scored Toronto’s first goal, redirecting Troy Stecher’s pass in the second period. The Maple Leafs closed the gap to 3-2 before Calgary scored twice into an empty net.

Hiller credited Cowan with responding after the difficult opening period. In his postgame comments published by Maple Leafs Hotstove, the coach praised Cowan for accepting responsibility while saying that other players also needed to contribute. Hiller identified turnovers and the team’s defending after losing possession as problems across the lineup.