The Cowichan Capitals are 1-0 after a shutout win over the Nanaimo Clippers on the opening night of the BCHL season. It took until the 34th shot of the game to break the scoreless deadlock, but Dimitri Mikrogiannakis made a great play to keep the puck in the offensive zone then Luc Wilson fed Josh Kagan on the near side for a one timer that beat Clippers goaltender Zach Bennett under the glove short side to give the Capitals a 1-0 lead on his first BCHL goal at 13:18 of the 2nd period. Cowichan would hold off the Clippers push throughout the third period and get a last minute empty net goal from Andy Bridgewater to seal the deal for a 2-0 win. Zach Borgiel stopped all 35 shots he faced, and his first BCHL win was also his first BCHL shutout. He was named the game’s first star, with Clippers goaltender Zach Bennett given the 2nd star stopping 27/28 in the game. Josh Kagan’s game winning goal gave him 3rd star honours. Nanaimo outshot Cowichan 35-28 in the game including 15-8 in the 3rd period alone, but could not beat Borgiel.
Stats
Summary
1st Period
No goals – Shots 10-7 Cowichan
2nd Period
13:18 Cowichan – 13 Josh Kagan (1) from 22 Luc Wilson and 4 Dimitri Mikrogiannakis
Shots 13-10 Nanaimo (20-20)
3rd Period
19:09 Cowichan – 14 Andy Bridgewater EN Unassisted
Shots 15-8 Nanaimo (35-28 Nanaimo)
PP’s CV 0/5 NAN 0/4
3 Stars
Energy Player: Tyler Williams NAN
3rd Star: Josh Kagan CV 1-0-1
2nd Star: Zach Bennett NAN 26/27 L
1st Star: Zach Borgiel CV 35/35 SO W
Next up Cowichan hosts Victoria at the Cowichan Community Centre Saturday night for their home opener, and Victoria’s first game of the season. Nanaimo has the rest of the weekend off before a home and home set with Alberni Valley beginning Friday in Nanaimo. Saturday’s home opener begins at 6:00 PM with doors opening at 5:00, tickets are just 14$ for adults. For full ticket information or to purchase tickets call the Capitals office.
If you can’t make it to the game, every Capitals game home and away is broadcast live on 89.7 Juice FM on the FM dial, or you can listen live online on mycowichanvalleynow.com, or watch live on Hockey TV pay-per-view.
