Winners of five of their last six, the Cowichan Valley Capitals have developed into a high-octane scoring machine.
After the team played to a 4-1 loss at home against Nanaimo on Oct. 11, the Caps hit the road for the annual BCHL Showcase in Abbotsford on Oct. 13 and Oct. 14.
The first night Cowichan suited up against the Vernon Vipers, winning 4-2.
Noah Grolnic and Ben Portner scored at 15 seconds and at the 5:12 mark in the first period to put the Caps on top early but that was it for scoring in the opening frame.
Vernon got one back in the second before a power-play goal from the Vipers tied it up. In years past, the Capitals would crumble, but not this year. Instead, Cowichan pushed for a goal and rookie Carter Dekay delivered to restore the one-goal lead before Darius Bachler put it away in the final minute with an empty-netter.
The following night against Trail, Portner got his second first-period goal in as many nights and Bachler scored his fourth and fifth of the year in another 4-2 win. Rookie Trace Frieden also scored for Cowichan, his first of the year.
Dylan Krick was in goal against Vernon, stopping 29 of 31 shots while Alexei Noskov was between the pipes against Trail, casting aside 31 of 33 shots on goal, showing that not only does Cowichan have the offence, they have depth in goal as well.
It was Krick's turn to start again on Oct. 18 when Cowichan had the chance to avenge their Oct. 11 loss to the Clippers in Nanaimo. It took a five-goal output but they did just that, coming from behind to win 5-4 at Frank Crane Arena.
"The game in Nanaimo was a test of character being down 4–1 late in the second period," noted coach Cam Keith. "The kids never gave up and found a way to come back against adversity."
Luca Primerano potted a pair, while Portner, Bachler, and Caden Bell also scored for the Caps.
Most recently, the Alberni Valley Bulldogs were in town on Oct. 19 to challenge the streaking Caps in front of 1,632 fans. In their second win of the weekend, Cowichan's offence was unstoppable.
"We kept the momentum going with a great 60-minute effort," Keith added. "Alexi was fantastic in net and Darius stayed hot with another two-goal effort."
Along with Bachler's pair, singles came from Frieden, Linden Burrett, and Brayden Sinclair. Noskov stopped 38 of 40 for the 'W'.
The Caps finish up their October schedule with a pair of home games against the Chilliwack Chiefs and Surrey Eagles on Oct. 25 and Oct. 26 respectively. Both games start at 7 p.m.
