THUNDER BAY – Sullivan Silva’s still got the touch.
The former Premier Development League most valuable player on Sunday showed despite still dealing with a lingering leg injury he hasn’t slowed down one bit. Silva, a Brazilian entering his sixth season with the Thunder Bay Chill, scored twice in the first half and completed his hat trick in the second to lead his team to a 5-1 exhibition win over the visiting Winnipeg Lions.
It’s a good sign, said Silva, who now calls Thunder Bay home year-round.
“It felt great,” he said. “It’s not only about my performance, but the team’s. If we play together, I think we’re going to be very successful in the season. But I can’t deny, it was a great performance today. I was able to score three goals, so I’m happy.”
Silva dominated the league in 2012, scoring 13 goals to top all scorers. Since then, however, he’s struggled to stay on the field, beset by injuries that cost him most of 2013, the last year the Chill managed to advance beyond the Central Conference championship.
He started slow a year ago, but wound up scoring 11 goals, despite not being at 100 per cent.
Another offseason surgery hampered his training during the offseason and Silva said there’s still room for improvement as his knee continues to heal.
Sunday’s performance is a great sign he’s getting close, Silva said.
But does he have another MVP-type summer up his sleeve? He thinks he might.
“I think this is the season. I have been working hard during the winter to get into the shape that I wanted to and today I think I did pretty good. I’ll just keep working hard and we’ll go day by day,” Silva said.
With all-time leading scorer Brandon Swartzendruber back in the fold after taking last summer off, the pressure is off Silva to be the sole driver of goals for the Chill, who open the regular season this weekend on the road against WSA Winnipeg.
That suits coach Gio Petraglia just fine.
“Sullivan for us is huge. He’s important. He’s the player that can decide every game, even when he’s not 100 per cent,” Petraglia said.
“Especially when we’re away, he will help us a lot because on the break he’s one of the best players I’ve ever seen.
After being shut out on Saturday the Lions opened the scoring when the Chill were called for a hand-ball in the box. A.J. Naumiuk made good on the ensuing penalty kick and Winnipeg jumped in front 1-0, their first and only lead of the weekend.
Silva struck twice before the half, then broke in alone on Lions keeper Sean Golden and completed his hat trick in the 64th.
Thunder Bay’s own Kieran Ezzard upped the lead to 4-1 in the 78th on a crossing pass from Pedro Adan, then Frenchman Chris Makengo capped it with his first for the Chill in the 87th.
“I feel great. I’m still getting used to this. I came on and Gio just told me to go out and have some fun there,” Ezzard said. “The goal, I have to give it to my teammates who put me in a perfect position for that one.”
