The Cowichan Valley Capitals will head to Powell River this weekend to open the B.C. Hockey League playoffs, and will be back home for at least two games next week.
The best-of-seven Island Division semifinal series between the Caps and Kings kicks off with games in Powell River on Friday and Saturday, the first game at 7:15 p.m. and the second at 5 p.m.
The series will move to the Island Savings Centre next week with games on Tuesday, Wednesday and, if necessary, Thursday, all at 7 p.m.
If five games aren’t enough to decide a winner, the teams will return to Powell River the following Saturday and Sunday (March 11 and 12).
The Kings finished second in the Island Division during the regular season with 76 points, while the Caps were third with 55 points. The Caps won the season series, however, five games to three.
Cowichan’s top scorers this year were forwards Max Newton (25 goals and 34 assists for 59 points in 58 games played), Ayden MacDonald (24G, 28A, 52P in 54GP), Mitch Skapski (21G, 26A, 47P in 55GP), Jared Domin (21G, 23A, 44P in 49GP) and defenceman and captain Chris Harpur (7G, 32A, 39P in 54GP). No. 1 goalie Lane Michasiw had 16 wins and 19 losses, a 3.13 goals-against average, a .913 save percentage and two shutouts in 38 games.
Powell River’s top scorers were Jonny Evans (36G, 42A, 78P in 58GP), Tristan Mullin (36G, 34A, 70P in 57GP), rookie Cam Donaldson (32G, 37A, 69P in 54GP), Carter Turnbull (26G, 30A, 56P in 50GP) and Kyle Betts (22G, 24A, 46P in 52GP). No. 1 goalie Brian Wilson had 22 wins and 11 losses, a 2.70 GAA and .917 SPCT in 38 games.
Also of note on Powell River’s roster is Ben Berard, who grew up in Duncan and played six games for the Caps as an affiliate player over the previous two seasons. In 56 games for the Kings this year, Berard scored 13 times and added 18 assists for 31 points.