When Abbotsford Canucks goalie Aku Koskenvuo stopped Luca Cagnoni with his blocker on the final shootout attempt, he didn’t raise his arms in triumph right away.

He first gave a head nod and practically strutted out of the crease before his teammates mobbed him. A learned and understated celebration for a goalie celebrating his first AHL win, his team’s first in 12 games.

Securing that first victory was no small feat for the 22-year-old Finn. Koskenvuo turned aside 33 San Jose Barracuda shots in the 4-3 win, including the only shot of overtime and three of four ‘Cuda shootout attempts.

“In the first period, I obviously felt like the pace was pretty high, but you adapt a little [and] I felt better in the second, even though I got scored on twice,” Koskenvuo said when he met the media following the win. “But then, [in] the third, I felt really good already. It was a lot of fun and I felt like the calmness and composure was improving throughout the game.”

That composure was on display from early on, including on a first period Barracuda power play where Koskenvuo robbed both Quentin Musty and Colin White with cross-crease saves.

His mentality for overtime and the shootout was plain and simple. “I just tried to help the boys win. I saw we got a goal down there, so I just wanted to make the stop,” Koskenvuo said. “I just thought that if we’re going into OT, we might as well win it.”

Making the adjustment from the ECHL to the AHL isn’t always smooth, especially for a goaltender. But Koskenvuo has taken the challenge in stride.

“It’s obviously a jump in skill level, [and] pace compared to the [ECHL],” Koskenvuo said. “I just try to focus on the stuff I can control in my own system, so not focusing too much on the result. Just trying to see that I can do the stuff that I need to bring a good result. Just try to keep doing it, and trust that it works out.”

Playing behind a brand new team with not much time to get to know them is a tall order. Learning how your defenders communicate and how to relay info to them becomes a task on the fly. “Obviously, it helps a lot when you talk out there. You become more predictable,” Koskenvuo said. “So I think the guys did a great job today talking, helping me play the puck, and yeah, communication helps a lot.”

Koskenvuo had a good feeling he’d be getting the call Wednesday, and went through the paces with Canucks goalie coach Justin Pogge on Tuesday. As far as improving his game goes, the in-game reps are what he’s most looking forward to. “Just trying to refine the system, make it more consistent. Just being able to do it every night, night in, night out,” Koskenvuo said. “It doesn’t matter what the score is, and just keep performing at a high level. That’s my goal.”

The former Harvard goaltender is joining a team – and a system – that relies on their goalies to be willing to leave the crease and play the puck. It’s a modern role that Koskenvuo is prepared to play.

“I think nowadays in hockey, if there’s rims, goalies want to make touches out there, help your defence out. It helps the breakout and also mitigates some hits off the D. So I just try to get out there, make some good plays,” Koskenvuo said, before breaking down his own efforts in that department. “Started off a little slow today, but I thought it improved a little. But it’s something I’ll keep working on.”

Koskenvuo also got the ultimate souvenir from his first win: the game puck. When asked whether it was going on display at home, he said, “Of course,” with a lot of pride. “Big milestone, so I’m really happy about that.”