DUNCAN, B.C. – The Cowichan Valley Capitals officially kicked off the 2026-27 BCHL season against Island rival Victoria Friday night, welcoming fans back to the Cowichan Community Centre for a tightly contested opening-night battle.
After the 2026-27 Capitals were introduced to the home crowd, the puck dropped on a fast-paced opening period with chances at both ends. Neither side could break through, however, as newly signed Cowichan netminder Evan Maillet and Victoria’s Mikus Vecvanags traded saves through a scoreless opening 20 minutes.
The Capitals’ first goal of the season came midway through the second period, when Trace Frieden provided the spark for his first goal of the season. Returning forward Tristan Gravenor collected the puck low in the corner off a turnover and quickly spotted Trace Frieden in the circle. Wasting no time, he curled and snapped the puck through Vecvanags to score the team’s inaugural goal of the season.
The Grizzlies found the equalizer just before the 15-minute mark, capitalizing on one of three power plays in the period. Deadlocked at one heading into the third, the Grizzlies took their first lead at 5:41 when Owen Warnick beat Maillet on a breakaway, setting up a one-goal battle down the stretch. Well within striking distance, Cowichan pushed for the equalizer and pulled Maillet for an extra attacker in the closing minutes. The Grizzlies weathered the late pressure before Joey Brehmer found the empty net with 33 seconds remaining to secure the 3-1 final.
With little separating the two sides, Victoria finished with a narrow 29-27 advantage in shots as Capitals netminder Maillet delivered a strong BCHL debut, turning aside 26 of the 28 shots he faced.
The Capitals won’t have much time to dwell on the result, as they are right back at it Saturday night for another Island matchup, this time welcoming the Nanaimo Clippers to the Cowichan Community Centre. It will be the first meeting between the clubs since their second-round Coastal Conference playoff battle last spring.
Puck drops at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available now at cowichancapitals.com.
Highlights:
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