THUNDER BAY – Sullivan Silva was born to score goals.
Injuries robbed him of the opportunity in 2017, Silva unable to find the back of the net in eight Premier Development League games, despite a hat-trick in a pre-season friendly against the Winnipeg Lions.
The big difference in 2018 is his health.
After battling to stay on the pitch for years, Silva is as healthy as he’s been since 2012, when he stormed the league and took home most valuable player honours.
It showed on Saturday night.
The Thunder Bay Chill welcomed their annual warm-up act back to Fort William Stadium and it was Silva who gave the Lions fits.
The Brazilian import, who has called Thunder Bay home for six years, scored goals in the 26th and 36th minute to power the Chill to a 2-0 win to kick off the exhibition campaign, six days before their regular season is scheduled to begin on the road against WSA Winnipeg.
It felt good to produce, Silva said.
“It’s my job,” he said. “As a striker, I have to make sure that the opportunities the team creates, I have to be there and put it in. I was lucky to be in the right spot. My teammates gave me a very good ball, so I was happy.”
Silva’s first goal was a thing of beauty.
The 29-year-old broke down the left side of the field, sidestepped a Winnipeg defender and buried it past Lions keeper Sean Golden.
Goal No. 2 came courtesy of a seeing-eye pass from long-time teammate Pedro Adan, who threaded it through a pair of Winnipeg defenders to an open Silva, who burst down the right side and fired a cross-crease shot that caught Golden cheating the other way.
“It’s very important I think for Sully and his confidence, but also for the team, because we get to see what we have up top. He’s an unbelievable player and he showed it tonight.”
Adan’s no slouch himself in the midfield and said it was familiarity that allowed the pass to get through.
“I’m always aware where his runs are and without even seeing him, all I need is his shout. I played him a good ball and fortunately it skipped the defender and Sully was able to covert.”
For coach Gio Petraglia, the opener, played before 415 fans, was a chance to assess the team he’s put together, looking to improve on last season’s trip to the PDL final where they fell 2-1 to the host Charlotte Eagles.
There’s still some work to do before the Chill hits their stride – especially in the offensive zone.
“We didn’t concede a goal, which is a good sign. Offensively we need to work a lot. We had a good chat at halftime about our need to improve and improve quickly. But we’re on the right track. The guys are all on the same page, they all want to improve and know it’s not good enough, so it’s a good start.”
Matthew Mozinsky posted the clean sheet in net, making his Thunder Bay Chill debut.
The two teams wrap up their weekend set on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.
