Whistle in action for the Giants
Pic: Dean Woolley
WHEN you talk about form players, Jackson Whistle has to come into the mix.
Used to playing in tandem with Stephen Murphy, the Scot's likely season-ending injury has forced Whistle into the everyday role at the Belfast Giants, and so far all the indications suggest he's thriving.
In his last eight starts, Whistle has gone 5-2 - with a rare tie game in Fife as well - and posted an outstanding .940 save percentage, which is backed by an equally impressive 1.88 GAA in that space, numbers that the top NHL ‘keepers would be delighted with.
His form has been so good that newly-signed backstop Chris Truehl - who has also been excellent in his three starts - has barely been given a look in, instead having to settle for the bench role.
Everything culminated in a 30-save shutout of the streaking Fife Flyers in their Challenge Cup quarter-final second leg on Tuesday night, Whistle providing the solid platform from the back that allowed the offense to let loose.
"It was nice to get the shutout but I thought the team played really well," the 22-year old says. "Obviously we knew it was a do or die game but I thought we really came out to play and we took it to them.
"Lately I think my game has been coming along pretty well, it's just about feeling good, tracking pucks and seeing it. I'm getting a lot of help from the team - you can't get a shutout without a team effort, so I really appreciate that from the guys."
The numbers don't lie, Whistle has been in elite form recently for the Giants, who are keeping pace with the league leading Cardiff Devils and have reached the last four of the Challenge Cup on the back of his performances.
The Great Britain goaltender is only a year off hip surgery that massively curtailed his involvement last season, but the form he's in would suggest there's been no long-lasting effects.
And, having taken over as both the Giants' figurative No.1 as well as being their literal No.1, Whistle is only focusing on getting better as the season goes on.
"It's awesome to get (the great stats), but the key is to keep moving forward," Whistle admits. "I try not to look at that, just take it day by day, get better with every practice and bring it into the next game.
"You'll look at stats a little bit, but I'll look at games where I've let in goals that I'll want back, or I'll look at certain plays. I get Keefer to show me videos of them so I can improve on them and take it into the next game. Hopefully if I do enough things right then the stats will come."
Next up, somewhat ironically, is a league and conference doubleheader against their Challenge Cup semi-final opponents the Nottingham Panthers at the SSE Arena this weekend.
The Giants haven't had much to celebrate from their games against the Panthers this season - they boast a 1-2-1 record against their conference rivals, including an overtime defeat the last time they met in Belfast.
However, they do hold the most recent bragging rights having taken a 6-2 win from the National Ice Centre in mid-December, Whistle pulling off 30 saves on his way to the road victory.
It's a chance for Belfast to inflict a hammer blow to a side who will be in the mix come the end of the season, as well as boost their own title credentials and take a big step forward in the Erhardt Conference.
"I think the guys are definitely looking forward to this weekend, the same as last weekend against Sheffield, it's a big weekend and we need some points," says Whistle.
"They're a good team, but if we play our best I think we can compete with any team in the league. That's what we have to do this weekend, just play our game and see how it goes."
Stats
Jackson Whistle
Win-Loss: 21-8-2
SAV%: .906
GAA: 2.93
Shutouts: 2
Stats provided by Davy McGimpsey of A View From The Bridge, official podcast of the Belfast Giants
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