The Cowichan Valley Capitals may be the seventh place team in the BCHL's Coastal Conference, but their recent play has the club looking like a dangerous postseason opponent. That was certainly the case on Friday, as the Caps received three assists from Mike Hammond in a 3-1 home ice victory over the Powell River Kings.
Brendon MacDonald put Cowichan Valley on the board just 22 seconds after the opening faceoff, converting a Hammond feed past Kings netminder Josh Watson. The home side struck again before the midway point of the frame on a Colten Dericksen effort, and took a three-goal lead on a second period power-play goal by Jackson Garrett.
Jordan Grant pulled Powell River within a pair in the third period, but the Kings were otherwise stifled by an outstanding performance from Laurent Brossoit. The Caps netminder stopped 38 of 39 shots on the night.
With the win, Cowichan Valley has now posted a record of 7-2-0-1 in their past 10 games. Only the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, at 9-1, have been hotter in the Coastal Conference.
In other action on the Coast:
- Luc Olivier Blain made sure the Nanaimo Clippers kept pace with the Capitals, scoring at the 4:28 mark of overtime to seal a 3-2 victory over the Quesnel Millionaires. Colton Cyr and Brayden Jaw also scored for the home side, with Joshua Desmarais assisted on both Quesnel tallies.
- Wesley Myron picked up a hat trick and Brad Pawlowski contributed four assists as the Victoria Grizzlies took an 8-2 decision over the visiting Williams Lake Timberwolves. Justin Bardarson and Jake Harcoff each scored second period tallies for the T-Wolves, while Sean Donnelly made 20 saves in the loss.
- Colton Beck scored the tying goal with six minutes remaining in regulation and Tim Daly netted the game winner with just two seconds left on the scoreboard, securing the Langley Chiefs a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over Surrey. The Eagles has taken a three-goal first period lead, but Brad McBride started the Langley rally with a pair in the span of 56 seconds.
