The Cowichan Valley Capitals got off to a hot start with two shutout victories in their first two games of the junior A hockey season.
Cowichan's first game was a convincing 8-0 victory over the Surrey Eagles in Surrey on Sept. 19.
Forwards Jack McAra and Owen Fitzgerald led the team in scoring with two goals and an assist each.
"Early chemistry from McAra and Hall has been outstanding, and newcomer Owen Fitzgerald has found his game early," said Capitals head coach Cam Keith.
Forwards Justin Pavese, Tristan Gravenor, Taite Donkin and Anthony Hall each had one goal and one assist. Team captain Ryan Harvey and veteran Kole Keen both earned two assists, with other assists scattered throughout the lineup.
"We have some early buy-in from the group to play to our identity," said Keith.
Backstopping the Capitals, goalie Rhett Stoesser made 21 saves in what would be the first of two straight shutouts to begin the season.
On Sept. 20, Cowichan blanked the Chilliwack Chiefs 3-0 in Chilliwack.
Fitzgerald scored his third and fourth goals of the season and Hall added his second.
Again, Stoesser held down the fort in net, stopping all 24 shots he faced.
"I don't think I've ever seen two shutouts to start," Keith said. "When things broke down, Stoesser made big saves look routine."
With two wins in their back pocket, Cowichan returns home to play host to the Port Alberni Bulldogs at the Cowichan Arena on Friday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.
"Hopefully we can carry this momentum into our home opener on Friday," Keith said.
