The Cowichan Valley Capitals ended the B.C. Hockey League regular season on a high note, with wins in their last two games, including a victory over the team they will face in the first round of the playoffs.
The Caps beat the last place Alberni Valley Bulldogs 2-1 last Friday night, then defeated the Powell River Kings 3-1 on Sunday afternoon. The Caps and Kings will square off in the Island Division semifinal series that begins later this week.
“It’s better to go into the playoffs on a winning note,” Caps head coach Bob Beatty said. “Powell River didn’t dress their full lineup, but just the same, it’s a win. That’s certainly better than losing against what’s not a full lineup.”
Mitch Skapski and John Sladic scored for the Caps on Friday, while goalie Lane Michasiw made 37 saves. Max Newton, George Sennott and Rhett Kingston had the goals on Sunday, while Skapski added two assists and Adam Marcoux stopped 32 pucks for the win.
Beatty had a short bench to work with over the weekend as his team was without forwards Jared Domin, Haydn Hopkins and Justin Perron for both games. Defenceman Marshall Skapski missed Friday’s contest, and fellow blueliner Simon Chen was out on Sunday. The Caps were unable to call on any affiliate players as Shawnigan Lake School’s prep team was in Penticton for the weekend and the junior B leagues are into playoffs themselves.
“We had a few guys out of the lineup,” the coach said. “We were short skaters. We have the flu going around and some minor injuries.”
Domin could miss the first two playoff games as well, Beatty noted, and Perron’s status is also up in the air.
The Caps will travel to Powell River for the first two games of the series this Friday and Saturday. Cowichan won the season series against the Kings 5-3, but the Kings’ victories included a 9-0 rout of the Caps at the Island Savings Centre on Oct. 28 that remains etched in Beatty’s mind.
The Caps finished third in the Island Division with 55 points (25 wins, 28 losses, three ties, two overtime losses), and the Kings were second with 76 points (37-19-1-1).
“They’re definitely a good hockey team,” Beatty said. “They’ve been hot since Christmas, and they’ve added a couple of key players who strengthened their back end. They’ve got scorers, three lines, for sure. They play their top nine or 10 forwards a lot.
“We’ll have our hands full, but I don’t think there’s anybody in our room counting ourselves out. We’re not planning our wrap-up banquet quite yet. I really think that if we play our best, if we play the way we have to in order to be effective, we can beat any team.”
As always, special teams will be huge in the series. The Kings boasted the best powerplay in the Island Division, converting 25.3 per cent of their chances, while the Caps were second at 19.8 per cent. The Kings’ penalty kill was effective 81.6 per cent of the time, while the Caps were a division-worst 78.4 per cent.
Playing solid defence will be vital to the Caps’ success against Powell River.
“We’ve got to be good on our side of the red line,” Beatty said. “It’s not something I invented, winning hockey, playoff hockey — it’s certainly defence first.”
Beatty and the rest of the coaching staff will be keeping an eye on the other Island Division semifinal as the Victoria Grizzlies and Nanaimo Clippers do battle.
“If we have a night off, we’ll keep tabs on the other teams,” Beatty confirmed. “We’re focused on the task at hand; we’re not looking past Powell River, but we have to be prepared to play in two weeks, as well.”
The Caps will be hoping for big crowds when the series comes to the Island Savings Centre next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (March 7, 8 and 9, all games face off at 7 p.m.).
“Obviously it’s huge when you come to the rink for a playoff game, as a player, you’re pretty pumped,” Beatty said. “A good crowd, good support can make a difference. The atmosphere means a lot to a young player, for sure.”
