DUNCAN, B.C. – The Cowichan Capitals wrapped up their opening weekend Saturday night with another hard-fought Island matchup, outshooting the Nanaimo Clippers 40-36 but falling 4-2 at the Cowichan Community Centre.
Coming off Friday’s season opener against Victoria, the Capitals came out with plenty of jump against a familiar opponent. In another scoreless opening period, the Caps outshot the visitors 13-9, but strong goaltending at both ends kept the game deadlocked through 20 minutes.
It took nearly half the game, but the home side eventually struck first. After a strong individual effort to maintain possession along the half wall, Kayden Turner spotted fellow newcomer Raphael Messier jockeying for position in the slot. Messier wasted little time, slipping the puck through Nanaimo netminder Hugo Laring for his first BCHL goal and a 1-0 Cowichan lead.
That advantage looked poised to carry into the final frame before the Clippers capitalized late in the second, burying a rebound on the doorstep with just over a minute remaining. Nanaimo carried that momentum into the third, finding the next two goals to build a 3-1 advantage deep into the final frame.
But the Capitals continued their press, and with just over four minutes remaining, pulled within one. With under five minutes remaining, John Lumsden collected the puck at the blue line and sent a shot toward the net where Tristan Gravenor got a stick on it for his first goal of the season. Ludovik Gauvin also picked up his first assist of the season, pulling Cowichan within one and setting up another tightly contested finish at the CCC.
Searching for the late equalizer, the Capitals pulled Evan Maillet for the extra attacker, and the Clippers eventually found the empty net to seal the 4-2 win. Despite the loss, Cowichan generated plenty of offence throughout the night, finishing with a 40-36 advantage in shots. Despite the loss, Maillet turned aside 32 of the 35 shots he faced in another strong performance between the pipes.
The Capitals now hit the road for the first time this season, beginning an extended 10-game road swing that includes the BCHL Showcase in Alberta. First up, the Chilliwack Chiefs on Wednesday night. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Chilliwack Coliseum.
Final shots: CV 40, NAN 36
Final score: CV 2, NAN 4
Highlights
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