It was a competitive weekend of hockey for the Cowichan Valley Capitals on their own home ice as they faced the Powell River Kings and Coquitlam Express in front of more than 1,200 fans last Friday and Saturday night respectively.
On Friday against Powell River — the team chasing them for the final playoff berth — the Capitals led at the end of both the first and second periods but opened the door for the Kings to come back in the third.
Myles Gauld scored the only first period goal while Luke Lavery, Matthew Swanson, and Gavin Giesbrecht all notched power-play markers in the second.
Special teams played a large roll in the game as seven total goals were scored with the man-advantage — four for Cowichan and three for Powell River.
Cowichan’s 4-2 lead didn’t last long once the third period began as the Kings scored two power-play goals in the period’s opening 2:18 to tie the score at 4-4. Powell River went ahead a few minutes later but a power-play goal from Giesbrecht pulled the teams even at 5-5.
A goal just before the 18-minute mark pushed the Kings ahead and a last-second empty-netter from the visiting team gave Cowichan the 7-5 loss.
With every win crucial to making the post-season, the Capitals knew they needed a victory against the Express on Saturday night.
The 1,208 fans watching didn’t get the same barn-burner as the night before, but it was an exciting contest nevertheless. Lavery scored the opening goal on a penalty shot to give Cowichan the lead. Mattéo Lamoureux scored midway through the second to extend that lead but Coquitlam beat goalie Aiden Fischer to score one of their own in the third period. The game ended with the Caps winning 2-1. Lavery, Lamoureau, and Fischer were the game’s three stars.
The Capitals wrap up their regular season schedule with home games against the Chilliwack Chiefs on Friday, March 29 at 7 p.m. and the Surrey Eagles the following night at 6 p.m. at the Cowichan Arena.
Capitals head coach Mike Vandekamp noted there are a variety of scenarios that would see his team solidify the final playoff spot, but the best thing for Cowichan to do to control their own destiny is win.