The 2009 British Columbia Hockey League postseason has thus far proven comeback-proof, but the Cowichan Valley Capitals are hoping to be the exception to the rule.
Before Saturday, six of the seven series that had reached an elimination game had been polished off by the leading team on the first try. But with the series once again on the line, the Caps forced a seventh game against the Victoria Grizzlies on the road Tuesday with a 3-1 win that started with a flurry and ended by just holding on.
Chris Zaires opened the scoring in a busy first period, beating Anthony Grieco just 3:46 into regulation. Derek Lee replied for the Grizzlies midway through the period before back-to-back tallies by Nick Anderson and Anthony Perdicaro just 55 seconds apart gave Cowichan Valley a two-goal advantage they would not relinquish.
Coastal Conference MVP Chris Rawlings was the hero down the stretch for the Capitals, turning aside 31 second and third period shots while picking up first star honours. Grieco, meanwhile, stopped 22 of the 25 pucks sent his way by Cowichan Valley.
Game Seven is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17th at 7:10 PM at the Bear Mountain Arena.
