Cowichan Valley Capitals - Powered By esportsdesk.com

Duncan, BC - Looking for a three point weekend after Friday night's tie with Wenatchee, the Capitals host the Smoke Eaters Sunday afternoon for Trail's only visit of the regular season to the Island Savings Centre.

The 16-11-2-3 Capitals had a much needed day of rest Saturday after skating to a 2-2 tie Friday night against the Wild in what was perhaps the most entertaining game of the season to date. But after the Kings earned a home ice win over Merritt Saturday night, the Caps are now tied with Powell River for second place in the division, eight points back of the leading Clippers but with a pair of games in hand on Nanaimo. This afternoon marks the fifth straight out of division game for the Capitals with the opportunity to sweep the season series with the Smoke Eaters after dispatching them 6-1 exactly one month ago at Cominco Arena.

But the 14-17 Smokies roll into town with plenty of confidence having won three in a row for the first time all season. Trail is right in the thick of the Interior division playoff race currently sitting four points back of Vernon for the fourth and final berth but with four games in hand on the Vipers. The Smoke Eaters have also had their way with the Island boasting a 5-2 record with the Capitals and Clippers the only teams in the division to hand Trail a loss so far this season. The Smoke Eaters do however face one of the toughest home teams in the league as the Capitals are 10-1-1-1 at the Big Stick, the Penticton Vees the only team to hand Cowichan a regulation loss at home.

The Smoke Eaters enter this afternoon's contest a bit more rested than anticipated after their game against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs last night was postponed due to inclement weather. The Smokies were unable to get a ferry out of Powell River to the Island with stormy skies forcing sailing cancellations throughout the day and into Saturday night.

Goal scoring remains a concern for the Smoke Eaters who have managed just 88 goals on the season so far, third lowest in the BCHL. Their lack of success on the power play adds to that concern, connecting on just 16.4% of opportunities, the second worst man advantage in the league. But when it comes to special teams, the Capitals have struggled of late scoring just twice in the last 12 chances.

After Storm Phaneuf made 57 saves in net Friday night, expect Lane Michasiw to get the start for the Capitals this afternoon. There aren't expected to be any lineup changes with both Keenan Eddy and Gary Dhaliwal dressing as affiliates while the team will skate one forward short once again. Newly acquired defenceman Sam Jones will join the team after the weekend. This afternoon marks the return of defenceman Mitch Stapley to the Big Stick after being traded from the Capitals to Trail in October.

Puck drop against the Smoke Eaters is 2:00pm with pre-game on 89.7 Juice FM at 1:45.