Canucks goalie Silovs is having an incredible playoff run in Abbotsford
The Abbotsford Canucks are deep in the AHL Playoffs and their 24-year-old goalie is a big reason why.
Arturs Silovs has stepped up during the AHL postseason and has helped the Canucks reach the Pacific Division Final. He’s got a 5-1-0 record, a sparkling 1.74 goals-against-average, and a .935 save percentage so far.
The Canucks have eliminated the Coachella Valley Firebirds and Tucson Roadrunners so far.
Silovs recorded shutouts to close out both of Abbotsford’s two series thus far. He even stopped a penalty shot with 35 seconds left that would’ve tied the game in the first round against Tucson.
Silovs broke onto the scene in last year’s NHL Playoffs when he was forced into action as the Canucks’ third-string goalie. He ended up backstopping the team all the way to Game 7 in the second round, where they lost to the Edmonton Oilers.
That success made him the team’s opening-night starter this year. However, he struggled in the NHL, finishing the year with a 2-6-1 record, a 3.65 goals-against average, and a .861 save percentage.
The Canucks’ crease is crowded. They re-signed Kevin Lankinen to a five-year deal and still have Thatcher Demko on the books for another season. There’s no clear pathway to an NHL job for Silovs right now, although that could change depending on what the club does with Demko.
Abbotsford begins the next round of its playoff journey on Friday, May 16. They’re hosting the Colorado Eagles for the first two games of the five-game series. The Eagles won the Pacific Division during the regular season and finished tied for third in points among all AHL teams.
This playoff experience should benefit Silovs’ development as he continues on his journey to breaking into the NHL full-time. Goalies often take longer to develop, and there’s still a runway for Silovs to become a contributor at the highest level.
For now, all of his attention is surely focused on the next playoff series. Colorado poses the biggest test yet, but if Silovs’ playoff numbers thus far are any indication, he’ll surely be up for the challenge.