Cowichan Valley Capitals - Powered By esportsdesk.com

Duncan, BC - It's a massive division battle tonight in Nanaimo as the Capitals head to Frank Crane Arena to face the division leading Clippers for the third time this season in a four point swing game with big consequences in the standings.

Following Sunday's loss to Trail, the 16-12-2-3 Capitals remain in a tie with Powell River for second place in the Island division, eight points back of 22-11-0-1 Nanaimo. While the Caps have a game in hand on the Clippers, the Kings have two in hand on Cowichan, all the more reason to gain a critical two points to keep pace.

While the Capitals have been in an up and down stretch of late, the Clippers are coming off a loss Saturday to west Kelowna but one that ended a ten game win streak. With 19 goals in the last three games, the Clippers have been on fire on offence. BCHL leading scorer Sheldon Rempal leads the way with 72 points. Along with linemates Matt Hoover and Devin Brosseau, the trio have 167 points averaging nearly five combined points per game.

The power play is where the Clippers are at their deadliest, clicking at 25.9% on the season, second best in the BCHL. The last meeting between the Clippers and Capitals saw Nanaimo score three times on the man advantage en route to a 4-3 double overtime win at the Big Stick. Special teams could certainly be a big focus tonight as the Capitals and Clippers are the two most penalized teams in the league.

While the Clippers have scored the second most goals in the BCHL at 137, 21 more than the Capitals to date, the teams are nearly identical defensively both having allowed 110 goals against. Storm Phaneuf has been phenomenal of late with a .938 save percentage in his last four games as he's expected to get the start again tonight after making 47 saves in Friday night's 2-2 tie with Wenatchee.

Offensively, Luke Santerno has been the hottest Capital with four goals in his last five games scoring in each of the last three. The 19 year-old forward is up to 11 goals and 18 points on the season, one goal shy of tying last year's total. Kade Kehoe now leads the team in scoring with 33 points. The Caps will once again be without Ryan Burton who continues to recover from illness.

Tonight marks the Capitals debut for 18 year-old defenceman Sam Jones who was acquired on the weekend from the Penticton Vees.

Puck Drop at Frank Crane Arena is 7:00pm with pre-game on 89.7 Juice FM at 6:45.