The Cowichan Valley Capitals' playoff run came to a heartbreaking end with a 4-3 loss to the Victoria Grizzlies in Game 6 of the B.C. Hockey League's Coast Conference semi-finals on Friday, April 25. The loss marked the end of a hard-fought series that saw the Capitals battle back from a 3-0 deficit.
With their backs against the wall, the Capitals made Game 4 a must-win, battling to a 6-5 victory at the Q Centre.
The Capitals rode the momentum into Game 5, but it took more than regulation time to get it done.
Jordan Bax opened the scoring five minutes into the second period, but Victoria equalized seven minutes into the third. Kole Keen restored Cowichan's one-goal advantage just 20 seconds later, but the Grizzlies scored one more in the last four minutes to force overtime.
Jack McAra was the hero of the night, scoring on the power play to give the Capitals a 3-2 victory and keep their playoff hopes alive for at least one more game. However, that would be the last game of the season for the Capitals.
Behind 3-0 late in the second period of Game 6, the team battled back to tie it at 3-3 with the final seconds ticking down. Overtime looked imminent until the Grizzlies managed a goal with eight seconds left to play to win the game and the series.
"The kids never gave up all season, so it wasn't surprising we were one goal short from forcing Game 7," said head coach Cam Keith of the series. "The community support throughout the playoffs was amazing, and the players fed off the positive energy all season."
Keith said the team's offseason priorities will be replacing outgoing goalie Dylan Krick and captain Gavin Giesbrecht, who are both off to play NCAA Div. 1 hockey.
"Our goal is to win a championship every year, and we feel now the program is in a position to do so."
In other news, the Capitals have announced some exciting developments. Forward Hayden Russell and defender James Russell have both been named to the BCHL's six-player, year-end All-Rookie team. The twin brothers, who turn 18 on May 3, have a 16-year-old brother, forward Brendan Russell, who also saw time with the Capitals this season. The team has also bolstered their defence with the signing of Jack Wideman for the 2025-26 season. In 28 games with the CSSHL's Calgary IHA U18 team this season, Wideman scored three goals and had 23 assists.
