For the second straight meeting between the Capitals and Grizzlies, Cowichan outshot Victoria, but ran into a hot goaltender, as Joe Howe made 46 saves for his first BCHL shutout and a 4-0 Victoria win. The game was scoreless through 20, and Bryce Anderson’s 4th of the year was the only scoring in the 2nd. The Capitals hit two posts in the 2nd, and two more in the 3rd while the game was still just one shot from being tied, but they could never get that bounce or finish around the net. Kahlil Fontana’s first BCHL goal for Victoria made it 2-0 with 12 minutes left, before Cody Monds and Eddie Yan put the game away with late goals. The Capitals went 0/3 on the power play, while Victoria went 0/3 as well, and had a penalty shot from Stephen Konroyd denied by Ben Howard. Cowichan now sits at 10-5-1-1 and still atop the Island Division standings with 22 points, three up on Nanaimo and six up on Alberni Valley. Victoria still finds themselves 5th in the division at 6-9-0, but quickly closing in on Powell River.
In the home and home series, Cowichan did a great job of getting pucks on net, firing 92 shots on Victoria goalies in two games, but managed to score just three goals. The good news is Cowichan has a quick turnaround and chance to bounce back, as the Wenatchee Wild, who fell in Alberni Valley 5-3 on Friday night make their only visit to the Cowichan Community Centre on Saturday for a 6:00 PM puck drop.
