How Silovs became the talk of any town, at any time
Arturs Silovs bolted from his crease like he was in the 100metre final at the Olympics.
He then executed a triplejump of overtime victory exuberance worthy of a medal.
That was his celebratory story at the world hockey championship in Tampere, Finland last May and again in his NHL playoff debut Sunday in Nashville.
Silovs backstopped his native Latvia to a world championship bronze and earned most valuable player honours. It ignited quite the Arty Party.
He then got the call to supplant the injured Casey Desmith and keep the Canucks within striking range in Game 4. He responded with a strong 27-save showing in a 4-3 overtime win over the Predators and contribute to a 3-1 series lead.
“I couldn’t be happier for the guy,” said J.T. Miller. “Thrown into the playoffs and that’s a super hard thing to do. He looks so calm. He really is. He made saves when they were really pushing.”
For Silovs, the magnitude of the moment was not lost on him. Being on big stages seem to be his thing. It brings out his best.
“Playing in Latvia for my hometown was the same atmosphere and it just feels great,” he said Sunday. “They either boo you, or are there for you, and it’s great. It’s time to shine. It was exactly what I expected today.
“It was fantastic. I wasn’t too nervous. Just doing my thing and the things I rely on.”
‘You have to wait for your opportunity and work it through’ Whether it’s putting in the extra work at practice or making that extra and unexpected save in a playoff game, the 23-year-old prospect is quickly advancing the learning curve.
It’s not unusual to see Silovs slumped in his stall after a long day at Rogers Arena. After a pre-practice session with goalie coach Ian Clark, the actual practice, and staying after to take more shots from lineup extras, he’s often spent.
“Two hours on the ice,” he said with a slight groan last month when asked to extend his day with a one-on-one interview. He wasn’t complaining. He knows what comes with the territory and the long road to getting to and staying in “The Show.”
“There’s a time,” he said. “You have to be patient. You can’t be like: ‘I know it and I’m good enough to play.’ You have to wait for your opportunity and work it through. They (Canucks) see you playing in the AHL and you have to stick with it.
“Play the games. Show that you’re a reliable guy and you have consistency. And when you show it here (NHL), they have more trust in you.”
‘The coaches said I looked good and should stick with it’
Silovs wasn’t always a goalie.
“I was in Ventspils (population 32,948) until 10 and moved to the capital (Riga),” said Silovs. “I hung out with friends and hockey was just part time and fun. I was swimming and doing basketball and playing three or four sports.
“I started skating at age three and was a winger and centre and switched to goalie at age six. I wanted to try it and the coaches said I looked good and should stick with it.”
What works for Silovs is his game and a calm demeanour. No matter the stage, he has been efficient, exuberant and endearing.
Ask him about the pressure that comes with the position and he puts it into a settling summation that eliminates panic with preparation.
“Let the game come to you,” he stressed. “You don’t really have to be stressed out about it. Wait for the moment that you have worked for to see the puck and make the save. It’s a great opportunity to play at this level to show the world how you can play. Relax. Do your thing and use your instincts.”
Silovs had his idols growing up and gravitated toward those with agility.
“I looked a lot at (Jonathan) Quick’s game,” he said. “He was really agile and competitive and was always spreading and making split saves. I’m sort of like him. I can go splits, but I don’t really like to try his way because he’s really aggressive.
“I try to use my abilities and my whole package.”