The Cowichan Valley Capitals lost the battle for fourth place in the B.C. Hockey League’s Island Division on Saturday night, falling 4-1 to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs at the Island Savings Centre.
The Caps and Bulldogs were tied in the standings going into Saturday’s game, but the Bulldogs now boast a two-point edge as well as a game in hand.
Jordan Robert staked the caps to a 1-0 lead on a first-period powerplay, but the Bulldogs evened the score in the second, then added three unanswered goals in the third, including an empty better.
The Caps outshot the Bulldogs 38-31, but Chemainus product John Hawthorne made 37 stops in the Alberni net to Jack Grant’s 27 saves in the Cowichan end.
The Caps went 1-for-2 on the powerplay, and killed off all three of Alberni’s extra-man opportunities.
Winless in four games so far this month, the Caps will head out on the road next weekend, visiting Vernon, Salmon Arm and West Kelowna. Their next home game isn’t until Dec. 29, when they play host to the Powell River Kings.