The Vancouver Canucks and the Nashville Predators are gearing up for a pivotal Game 6 on Friday afternoon, with both teams eyeing a crucial win. As tensions rose, Canucks forward JT Miller lightened the atmosphere by pulling a hilarious prank on rookie goaltender Arturs Silovs during practice.
So JT Miller took to the ice wearing Artur Silov’s dress shirt. It’s a peach/salmon paisley type of thing. Silovs was a little surprised to see it being used as a practice jersey. #canucks pic.twitter.com/W7vowBFa10
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) May 2, 2024
Known for his playful nature, Miller orchestrated a memorable prank by wearing Silovs’ pink dress shirt during practice in Nashville, as reported by Sportsnet’s Dan Murphy. The sight of the veteran forward sporting the attire of the 23-year-old Latvian goaltender undoubtedly brought smiles to the faces of his teammates and coaching staff.
In the midst of the postseason, the Vancouver Canucks have encountered a goaltending frenzy, rotating through three different goaltenders in just five games. Thatcher Demko began the series in Game 1, but the team encountered adversity as Demko suffered a knee injury during the game. Subsequently, Casey DeSmith took the goaltending reins for Games 2 and 3, but he too fell victim to injury, paving the way for rookie Arturs Silovs to make his mark on the ice.
With the series on a knife’s edge, the Canucks are hoping to replicate their 2011 triumph over the Predators by clinching the series on the road. On the other hand, Nashville is determined to force a Game 7 and take the battle back to Vancouver.
During times of tension and crucial moments, Miller’s ability to keep the mood light and foster camaraderie within the team has won both his teammates and fans over. It’s not the first time Miller has showcased his mischievous side, as he previously organized a similar clothing prank involving custom Conor Garland T-shirts commemorating Garland’s 400th NHL game back in April.
Even defenceman Nikita Zadorov couldn’t resist chiming in on Silovs’ pink shirt.
“They didn’t say too much about it,” Silovs chuckled as he commented on the ordeal. “I guess they liked it so much, they wanted to bring it on the ice.”
When asked if he was surprised to see JT Miller sporting his shirt on the ice, Silovs added, “I knew it was coming, but it looked good on him. Something different than every single day.”
While the stakes remain high on the ice, moments like these remind players of the importance of enjoying the journey and maintaining a positive atmosphere amidst the pressure.
Miller’s prank seems especially topical, since Keith Yandle shared recently of a prank he and Kevin Hayes pulled on a Miller, when Hayes and Yandle drove then-rookie JT Miller’s car to the side of the highway in New York.