HOCKEY. For a second consecutive year, Gabriel Jackson finds his old team on his way to the first round of the playoffs.
Drafted by the Victoriaville Tigres in 2018, Gabriel Jackson made his debut in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (LHJMQ) in the uniform of the Armada during the 2019-2020 season. After stints with the Gatineau Olympiques and the Rimouski Océanic, the 20-year-old defender moved to the Drummondville Voltigeurs in return for forward Liam Kidney during the last trade period.
As his junior internship draws to a close, Gabriel Jackson can’t hide his excitement at the approach of the three-of-five series between the Voltigeurs and the Armada. A year ago, Gatineau admitted defeat in four games to Blainville-Boisbriand in a series played behind closed doors at the Center Gervais-Auto in Shawinigan.
“It’s special for me to face the Armada. It was the team that gave me my first chance. I really enjoyed my time in Boisbriand. I made good friends there. For me, it’s a way of closing the loop,” said the athlete from Quebec.
After upsetting the Sherbrooke Phoenix twice in early April, the Voltigeurs fell flat, ending their regular season with a seven-game losing streak. Head coach Steve Hartley’s squad notably spurned a 5-1 lead in the third period against the Shawinigan Cataractes.
“Lately, we don’t offer a constant effort. It may be due to mental fatigue, but we make bad decisions with the puck. We try too hard to complicate our lives. We make mistakes and it costs us dearly, “said Gabriel Jackson, who completes the trio of 20-year-old Voltigeurs players along with Jacob Dion and Édouard Charron.
By snatching four points (0-3-3-1) from their opponents during this unsuccessful streak, the Voltigeurs nevertheless managed to gain the advantage of the ice in view of their series against the Armada.
“We got some big points in some games, but as a hockey player, our ultimate goal is to win games,” said Gabriel Jackson.
The veteran, however, reiterated the importance of home-ice advantage in the playoffs. “Not only are we going to play at home, in front of our supporters, but it will allow us to have the last change. Our coaches will be able to decide who is going to face the best elements of the opponent,” said the 6-foot-3, 186-pound defender.
The Armada, a hungry team
Throughout the season, the Voltigeurs struggled against the Armada. In five outings against their rivals from the Basses-Laurentides, the Drummondville residents had to settle for a harvest of two points (0-3-2-0).
“It’s a team that plays with a lot of energy. These are guys who work tirelessly. They are hungry for the puck. They never let go. This is what makes them hard to face,” explained Gabriel Jackson.
“Our preparation week will be crucial. The key will be to control the game well and make good decisions with the puck,” added the Blizzard product from Séminaire Saint-François.
For the past few weeks, Gabriel Jackson has formed an effective duo with Mikael Diotte. Privileging the robust game, these two defenders with a defensive character are often used against the best opposing attackers.
“Playing with Mikael allowed me to stabilize my game. I think we complement each other well. He’s a very solid guy defensively. No matter where the puck ends up on the ice, he’s going to go to the front and fight. I love playing with him,” Jackson said.
Author of 9 points (2-7) in 34 games since his arrival in Drummondville, Gabriel Jackson also plays a role of big brother to the young defenders of the team such as Maveric Lamoureux, Marc-Olivier Beaudry and Matteo Rotondi.
The series between the Voltigeurs (28-25-9-6) and the Armada (30-29-5-4) will take off on Thursday evening, at 7 p.m., at the Center Marcel-Dionne. Last year, the Drummondvillois were swept in three games by the Quebec Remparts in the first round of playoffs in a series played at home, but without the presence of spectators.