The Cowichan Valley Capitals did themselves a big favour in their bid for the Coastal Conference's seventh and final playoff spot on Friday evening, extending their lead over the Burnaby Express to six points with a 4-2 home ice win over the visiting Prince George Spruce Kings.
Mike Hammond led the way offensively for the Capitals, following up Jackson Garrett's game opening goal with a late first period marker and scoring again early in the third. Hammond's pair sandwiched a Ryan Green effort in the middle frame that stood up as the eventual game winner.
Joe Morgan and Sam Muchalla answered with tallies in the final minutes of regulation for Prince George, but Cowichan Valley recieved a 41-save effort from Laurent Brossoit that earned the win for the 16-year old. Andrew Walsh got the start for the Spruce Kings but was replaced by Kyle Nielsen after the Caps' third goal. Nielsen made 28 saves and allowed on goal in nearly two periods of duty.
The Capitals are now idle until a week Friday when they begin a three-game weekend road swing in Surrey, while Prince George continues their Vancouver Island trip on Saturday in Alberni Valley.
In other action on the Coast:
- The Surrey Eagles made it two wins in three days over the Burnaby Express, topping their Lower Mainland rivals by a 5-1 score at the South Surrey Arena. Tyler Morley struck twice for the home side, while Andrew Wallace scored once and added a pair of assists. The teams meet again in Burnaby on Saturday evening.
- Brothers Mitch and Mark MacMillan continued their strong play for the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, combining for eight points in a 5-3 home ice victory over Nanaimo. A pair of goals from Mitch — his 53rd and 54th of the season — less than five minutes apart in the third period brought his team back from down 3-2, while Warren Muir capped the scoring with an empty netter.
