The Cowichan Valley Capitals earned points against two of the B.C. Hockey League's best teams, but their efforts weren't enough to hold back the pesky Alberni Valley Bulldogs in the B.C. Hockey League standings.
They took the Island Divisionleading Powell River Kings to double overtime on Friday, losing 4-5, then tied the Langley Rivermen 2-2 on Saturday.
"It would have been nice to get some more points," Caps head coach Bob Beatty said. "Especially with Alberni Valley beating Powell River [Sunday], that makes it pretty tight. But two double overtime games back to back against, statistically, the top two teams in the league is an indication that we can play with anybody if we play our best."
Powell River took a 2-0 lead in the first period on Friday, but the Caps battled back to take the lead with three goals in the second frame, courtesy of Colton Kehler, Mason Malkowich and Adam Moody. The Caps then extended their lead on a powerplay marker by Dane Gibson just 36 seconds into the third.
Powell River clawed back and tied the score with 1:07 left, then won the game 27 seconds into the second extra period.
Malkowich, Gibson and Myles Powell all finished the game with two points apiece, while Robin Gusse made 37 saves in the loss.
On Saturday, after the Caps and Rivermen played through a scoreless opening, Gibson got Cowichan on the board with a powerplay marker midway through the second. The Rivermen scored a pair in the first eight minutes of the third but then, with just over four minutes left to play,
Cowichan's fourth line went to work and Daniel Wanner scored to force overtime.
Neither team scored in the extra two sessions. Gusse finished with 38 saves on the night.
The Caps will head to Powell River this weekend for back-toback games.
"We have to find a way to get some points against Powell River. This weekend against Powell River and Langley showed that there's a lot of parity in the league and it was an indication that we're right there."