Charles Béland and Caden Okovita each had a goal and an assist in the Clippers first victory of the young BCHL season, a 4-2 triumph on the road in Cowichan Valley. (Image Credit: Damon James (Island Images Photography))

By Dan Marshall

Rivalry Renewed

First Clippers win of the season comes in Cowichan Valley

Sep 20, 2026 | 1:06 AM

DUNCAN — The Clippers and Cowichan Valley Capitals clashed for the first time since Game 7 of the second round of the 2026 BCHL playoffs.

Nanaimo won Game 7 and also took the first matchup of the new season 4-2 on Saturday, Sept. 19.

After a scoreless first period the Capitals Raphael Messier opened the scoring from the slot midway through the middle frame.

Caden Okovita tied the score for the Clippers late in the period after a sustained shift of pressure in the Cowichan zone.

In the third, Drew Roelofs put Nanaimo ahead when he tucked a puck around Capitals goalie Evan Maillet.

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A few minutes later Charles Béland netted his second goal in two games on a man advantage to up the lead to 3-1.

Then the Capitals pressed late with a marker from Tristan Gravenor bringing the score to 3-2.

Hudson Gill closed out the scoring with an empty net goal in the game’s final minutes.

Nanaimo goalie Hugo Laring was very strong in net as Cowichan Valley had a shots on goal advantage of 40-36.

Nanaimo ended up 1/2 on the man advantage while the Capitals went 0/4.

After the opening weekend of the season the Clippers have a 1-1 record while Cowichan sits at 0-2.

The two teams will meet again on Oct. 9 with Nanaimo’s next outings on Friday, Sept. 25 and Sunday, Sept. 27 against Blackfalds and Surrey at Frank Crane Arena.

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by Dan Marshall

First Clippers win of the season comes in Cowichan Valley

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