Capitals 7 Smoke Eaters 1

Matt Brown scored twice, including the eventual game-winner, as the Cowichan Valley Capitals stung the Smokies 7-1 in Duncan Sunday afternoon.

Brown and fellow forward Steven Iacobellis each finished the game with 3 points as the Capitals won their second straight contest against Interior Conference competition.

Cowichan started early, as Jacob Charles converted a two-on-one attempt just shy of the ten-minute mark before Brown scored the first of his two markers to give the home side a 2-0 lead through 20 minutes.

Brown would add a second goal from the right circle on a second period power-play to widen the gap through two frames.

The Smokies got the third period rolling though, when Erik Cooper fired home a shot from the low slot for his third tally in as many games to cut the deficit to 3-1, but the Caps took advantage of some tired Trail legs the rest of the way.

Travis Stephens and Troy Paterson extended the Capitals lead to 5-1 before the midway mark of the final period, before newcomer Kyle Becker put home his first two goals in the BCHL to round out the scoring.

Trail surrendered more than 40 shots on goal for the second straight game, but goaltender James D'Andrea, making his third straight start, made several big saves to keep the game close through the first two periods. Brady Rouleau made 29 saves for his second victory in as many attempts since arriving in Duncan from AJHL Canmore.

Trail now heads home for some much-needed rest and preparation in advance of a busy weekend against Vernon, Salmon Arm and Westside to kick off November.

Up Next: The Smokies face the Vernon Vipers on home ice Friday, November 4th (7:30, Cominco Arena). Trail played the Vipers well during their last visit only to be sunk by three late third-period goals in a 6-3 defeat.

Local Hockey Today: The major midget Kootenay Ice had a tough go on Vancouver Island as well this weekend. After a 9-2 loss last night, the Ice dropped the back half of a weekend double-header against the South Island Thunderbirds this morning in Saanich. Former Border Bruin Jeremy McGregor and Seth Schmidt scored for Kootenay today.