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Wheeling Nailers Goalie Emil Larmi Reflects On Dream NHL Trip

Nailers goalie served as Pens’ backup in Montreal

Photo by Joe Lovell Wheeling goalie Emil Larmi had a quick call-up to the NHL last week to serve as Matt Murray’s backup when the Pittsburgh Penguins played the Montreal Canadiens.

WHEELING — Like all players in the ECHL, Nailers goalie Emil Larmi has a dream to be an everyday player in the NHL.

He got a taste of that dream last weekend as he got a surprise call-up to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Saturday’s game in Montreal — after former Nailer Casey DeSmith misplaced his passport and couldn’t make the trip.

Although it was just a brief, one-game stint with the team, it was a night and an experience that will continue to motivate him toward making his dream come true.

“It was a nice experience,” Larmi said. “I want to be an NHL starter. That is my goal but this is something that keeps me alive and kicking. It’s a huge deal.”

Leading up to that weekend, Larmi — a Lahti, Finland native — played in four games for Wheeling with a 3-1-0 record, which included a 26-save shutout performance in his team debut.

Last Friday night, Larmi and the Nailers were on their way to Cincinnati for a Central Division battle with the Cyclones when Nailers coach Mike Bavis asked him an interesting question.

“Coach asked me if I had my passport,” Larmi said. “I didn’t have it with me but I asked if my fiancee could bring it to me from Wheeling.

“Five minutes later, he came back and said ‘you’re going to Montreal (Saturday) and bring your passport.’

“I just checked to see what was going on in Montreal (on my phone) and was like ‘OK, Pittsburgh is playing in Montreal’ and was like “OK, I’m in.’ It was something I wasn’t expecting.”

What awaited Larmi was a spontaneous and exciting trip to Montreal and one special night in the life of an NHL netminder.

“I had to wake up really early and probably left Cincinnati at 4 a.m.. I took a car ride to the airport and had a couple flights in first class and enjoyed my life,” Larmi said with a big smile. “The pregame meals in the NHL are just unbelievable.

“We went to the game and after the game we got a private jet and it’s really something different. But of course, the best part was being in the game.”

The Penguins defeated the Canadiens, 3-2, with Larmi serving as Matt Murray’s backup — before he was sent back to Wheeling for Sunday’s game.

And even with him off the ice for the Nailers, it was still a special moment for his coaches and teammates.

“We were all excited for him,” Bavis said. “What an opportunity to join the big club and go through all the NHL hoopla — the Bell Centre — taking shots from Malkin, Hornqvist and Letang. It was a whirlwind for him and we were excited for him to have that opportunity.

“He is such a great kid and he is great for the culture,” Bavis said. “It was actually nice for me to be able to tell him.”

As long as Larmi continues to make an impact for the Nailers with the NHL in sight, it may not be long before he is there to stay.

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