Toronto Maple Leafs play-by-play announcer Joe Bowen expressed regret over how he called John Tavares‘ 500th career goal. The milestone came during Toronto’s 6-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 30.
Tavares, 35, joined a legendary group of NHL greats who reached the 500 career goal mark. The milestone should have been a celebration, but the mood said otherwise.
The Maple Leafs suffered a one-sided defeat to the visiting Blue Jackets and hadn’t played very well. The frustration from fans over the team’s performance echoed in Bowen’s commentary.
During his appearance on The Leafs Nation’s Leafs Morning Take, Bowen apologized for not delivering a proper call for the milestone. He expressed his regrets and admitted that Tavares deserved better.
“I’m embarrassed by the call, I really am,” Bowen said. “I did him a disservice and I apologize for that. We were just upset, we were disappointed, we were frustrated, and you could see that on John’s face.”
He added that Tavares treated the milestone goal like any other goal because of the loss.
“[Tavares] went through the hand tap line and just sat down. There was nothing else,” Bowen said. “I suppose maybe sometimes we’re too close to it, but that’s how I felt, exactly the same way Johnny felt.”
Joe Bowen Says He Will Make It Up to John Tavares
Joe Bowen also said he plans to make it up to John Tavares when he scores his next goal. The Leafs’ underwhelming performance made it tough to deliver an enthusiastic call, especially given how Tavares himself reacted to the milestone.
Fans know Bowen for his passionate style and his ‘Holy Mackinaw!‘ catchphrase. However, his call on Tavares’ 500th career goal was understandably less passionate.
For comparison, his call on Mats Sundin‘s milestone goal to become the franchise’s all-time leading scorer in 2007 was far more animated. That goal came in a dominant 8-1 win over the New York Islanders.
The longtime voice of the Leafs said he intends to give Tavares a proper call when he scores his 501st.
“I felt like John and maybe that’s wrong,” Bowen told Leafs Morning Take. “I sincerely hope that 501 is a huge goal or an opening goal and I’m going to treat it the way it should have been.”
Bowen Praises Tavares
Bowen also praised Tavares for his consistency and leadership throughout his career. He called the former Leafs captain a consummate professional who sets a high standard for his teammates.
Speaking with Leafs Morning Take, Bowen highlighted Tavares’ loyalty and shouldn’t be overlooked. Tavares took what many believe was a hometown discount to return to the Maple Leafs in hopes of ending their Stanley Cup drought.
“What a tremendous career,” Bowen said. “What a tremendous leader, what a tremendous consistent player this guy has been.”
He added:
“When you add on to that what he has done personally to stay here and try to turn things around to win here,” Bowen said. “I’m lost for words really about how much respect we should have for this young man and what he has done here in Toronto.”
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