Up And Down Beirut
Jacob Fowler made 34 saves as the Montreal club defeated the Winnipeg Jets 2–1 on Sunday evening at Princess Auto Stadium in the eighth edition of the NHL Heritage Classic.
Fowler became the youngest goalkeeper to start an NHL outdoor game at 21 years and 335 days.
The Florida native appeared at ease in the unique setting for the occasion, even as the temperature dropped below zero degrees Celsius during the second period. Against a backdrop reminiscent of a chalet wall, complete with a huge fireplace decal, he made several difficult saves and improved his record to 5-1-0 this season.
Defenders Lane Hutson and Kaiden Guhle scored for the Canadiens (6-3-2). Cole Caufield picked up two assists.
Isak Rosen scored late in the third period and Stuart Skinner made 19 saves in goal for the Jets (4-4-3).
Forward Florian Xhekaj returned to action for the Canadiens after missing five matches due to a lower-body injury. Owen Beck was left out of the line-up.
Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens play during during first period NHL Heritage Classic action in Winnipeg on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Greenslade
The match kicked off as the sun was setting in Winnipeg. Fowler quickly made his mark, pulling off a fine save from a dangerous shot by Mark Scheifele. The rebound fell to Kyle Connor, who missed an open net.
The Canadiens’ goalkeeper also made his mark late in the first period, during a Jets power play. He saved a point-blank shot from Cole Perfetti.
Alex Newhook broke away on a shorthanded rush for the Canadiens, but he missed the target.
Caufield squandered another chance when he broke through alone towards the Jets’ goalkeeper early in the second period, also missing the target.
Hutson finally opened the scoring at 7:19 of the second period. He capitalised on a fine cross-ice pass from Noah Dobson to shoot into an open net.
Guhle extended the lead at 11:04. His shot from the blue line found the back of the net, whilst Skinner’s view was blocked by three players.
Fowler continued to look solid in front of the Canadiens’ goal, making some fine saves against Connor and Scheifele.
Josh Anderson orchestrated a two-on-one attack whilst shorthanded, but the Habs forward was denied by Skinner.
Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens play during during first period NHL Heritage Classic action in Winnipeg on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Greenslade
Fowler continued to frustrate the Jets players in the third period. He made a spectacular save with his pad against Scheifele during another Jets power play.
Scheifele was denied once again with just over six minutes remaining, when Fowler caught his point-blank shot with his glove.
Rosen finally beat Fowler with 4:36 remaining, thanks to a one-timer following a long cross-ice pass from Gabriel Vilardi.
Viggo Bjorck came close to equalising moments later, skating round the back of the net. However, Guhle prevented him from sliding the puck over the goal line whilst Fowler was out of position.
Anderson was then sent to the sin bin with 1:32 remaining in regulation time, giving the Jets another power play. The Canadiens, however, prevented the Jets from establishing themselves in their zone and threatening Fowler’s net.
The Canadiens will be back in action on Tuesday, when they visit the St. Louis Blues.
