Jackson shining for Panthers
A change of scenery has proven beneficial for Keegan Jackson.
The 18-year-old netminder has been a godsend for the Pelham Panthers early in the season after being acquired in a summer trade with the Welland Junior Canadians.
Jackson kicked out 51 shots Friday to keep the Panthers competitive before finally falling 3-1 to the Chatham Maroons at the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League Showcase in Pelham.
“If you look since Jax started — he started the second game of the season for us — every game has been 2-1 or a one-goal game,” Pelham coach Bryan Kelly said. “He gives us a chance to win every night because he’s a stud.
“In my opinion, he’s the best goalie in the league, but I’m biased.”
Jackson is pleased with his start, but by no means content.
“Definitely off to a good start and I just want to keep growing my game and get better as the season goes,” he said. “For starts, this is pretty good. I’m feeling pretty good.”
Jackson felt pretty good at the start of last season as well with the Junior Canadians but lost his groove after missing some time when he was used as an emergency replacement goaltender at the Ontario Hockey League level.
Jackson didn’t see any action in the OHL and when he returned to Welland, had a tough time getting back on track.
“I think I had a pretty good start to the season last year and I was getting some call-ups,” he said. “I came back and had a couple of rough patches and it just compounded.
“I take that as a great learning experience with my own game mentally how I need to prepare and get past those low points.”
A deal to Pelham seems to have helped as well.
“When I was traded here I was pretty happy,” the Jarvis native said. “New team, great facility, great coaching staff and a fresh start.”
Jackson has faced 201 shots in just four games for the Panthers this season recording the team’s lone win while posting a 2.19 goals-against average and .955 save percentage.
“Our team is very, very, young, very inexperienced,” Kelly said. “So to have someone of his stature makes the boys relax. If you make a mistake, don’t worry. Jax has got it. It gives us confidence.
“In the last three games, we go head-to-head with St. Catharines and get three of four points and we’re 1-1 with the Sutherland Cup finalists with five minutes to go and he’s the reason. It all starts from him.
“We’re lucky to have him.”
Jackson feels a consistent approach has helped his game.
“You treat every game the same, every opponent the same, whether you’re playing the best team or what’s supposed to be the worst, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “You prepare the same and execute the same game plan game in and game out, 100 per cent effort for 60 minutes.”
STATS PACK
Maroons 3 Panthers 1
Pelham goaltender Keegan Jackson with 51 saves.
Pelham Panthers: Sean Covert (1).
Chatham Maroons: Joel Fonovic (2); Julien Gervais (2); Connor Dvorak (2).
Game stats: Shots on goal: By Pelham on Dylan Martin (27), by Chatham on Keegan Jackson (54); Power plays: Pelham 0/6, Chatham 0/4; Penalty minutes: Pelham 20, Chatham 10.
Up next: The tournament continues all weekend in Pelham. The Panthers take on Sarnia Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
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