The Cowichan Valley Capitals came through when it counted most on Saturday evening, scoring a pair of late goals to top the Trail Smoke Eaters on home ice.
Chase Kaiser opened the scoring early in the second period and tallied the winner at the 15:43 mark of the third in a first star performance. Brett Apted assisted twice for the Caps, including a helper on Joey Massingham's empty netter to seal the win. Tye Lewis and Sean Nugent replied for the Smoke Eaters, who twice bounced back from one-goal deficits but could never take the lead despite 17 third period shots.
Alex Peck made a statement in net for Cowichan Valley, allowing just a pair of goals on 33 shots. Kiefer Smiley, the netminder Peck replaced with the Capitals, made 28 saves in a losing effort.
The Smoke Eaters will now wrap a four-game Coastal road trip on Sunday when they visit the Surrey Eagles. Meanwhile, the Capitals continue a five-game homestand on Sunday when they host the Salmon Arm SilverBacks.