Heading out on the road at 5-2, returning home, with a record of 9-4 after 6 straight away from home was a great first test for the Cowichan Capitals in this young season, and with the end of the showcase, things quickly turn to the peak of the BCHL schedule. The Capitals currently sit atop the Island Division, after a 3 straight, 3 game weeks, get a bit of a breather with two this week. First up is the Trail Smoke Eaters, who have played through 2 polar opposite stretches this season. The Smokies played the first 5 games of the year on home ice, claiming just one point, and an 0-4-1 record, but since then, have gone 5-1, including winning their last 5 games. The Capitals enter off the split at the showcase, and a 3-1 loss at Alberni Valley, in which they more than doubled the Bulldogs in shots, but were stymied but Alberni net minder Jackson Glassford, who stopped 47/48 in the game. Cowichan is 4 points clear of Powell River for the Island Division lead at 9-4, while Trail sits 4th in the Interior at 5-5-1. The Capitals have scored regularly even with last game, scoring 46 goals this season, 3rd most in the BCHL, behind Chilliwack (49), and Penticton (48), Trail sits at 37. The puck drops at the Cowichan Community Centre at 7:00PM on Friday night, the doors open at 6:00PM, and adult tickets are just $14. The Capitals are also excited to have the Cowichan Valley Grassroots Orchestra performing at the game prior to face off and during intermissions.
Who’s Hot: Luc Wilson scored his 6th of the season in Cowichan’s loss to Alberni on Saturday, he is one of 3 Caps to have scored more than 5 goals through the first 13 games of the season, along with Brady Lynn’s team high of 7, and Dan McIntyre’s 5 in 7 games. Trail has two skaters in the top 3 in league points, with Kent Johnson recording 19 points including 5 goals in 11 games, while Michael Colella is 3rd with 8 goals and 18 points in 11 games so far. Cowichan is 4-1 on home ice this season, while Trail is 2-1 on the road.
How to follow: The puck drops at 7:00 PM from the Weyerhaeuser Arena in Port Alberni, and you can listen live on 89.7 Juice FM on the radio, and online at mycowichanvalleynow.com or watch on Hockey TV pay-per-view. The pregame show kicks off at 6:45 PM. For end of period updates, follow @CowichanCaps on Twitter and add Cowichan Capitals on Facebook.
The Capitals will wrap up the weekend on Saturday, making their 2nd trip of the season to Powell River, to take on the Kings at 5:00PM.
