The Cowichan Valley Capitals found themselves on the brink of elimination from the B.C. Hockey League playoffs after a 4-1 loss to the Powell River Kings on Tuesday.
The defeat put the Caps down 3-1 in the best-of-seven first-round series. A loss in Powell River on Thursday night would mean the end of the 2015/16 season for the Cowichan team.
Powell River was up by a pair on Tuesday before Matthew Hudie gave the Caps some hope with his second goal of the playoffs at 16:11 of the second period. The Kings made it 3-1 before the middle frame was over, then iced it with an empty-netter in the final minute.
The Caps outshot the Kings 36-27. Cowichan goalie Storm Phaneuf made 24 saves.
If the Caps managed to steal one on the road on Thursday, the teams will be back in Duncan on Saturday at 7 p.m. Check the Citizen’s Facebook page for updates.