NEW FACES ON CAPITALS HAVE FAMILIAR LOOK

October 16, 2009 Ron Rauch ©Times Colonist -

Forward Mike Hammond and goaltender Alex Peck were the main principals involved when the Victoria Grizzlies of the B.C. Hockey League made a trade last month to acquire 20-year-old defenceman Brad Pawlowski.

Hammond and Peck were supposed to go to Ontario and lace up their skates with the Trenton Golden Hawks. However, they both decided not to report and stay in B.C.

Peck waited for a trade while working out with the Victoria Salmon Kings of the ECHL while Hammond played for the Victoria Cougars of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League.

Now, they have both resurfaced in the BCHL with the Cowichan Valley Capitals and they will be in action against the Grizzlies, tonight, 7:15 p.m., at Bear Mountain Arena.

Peck has already has an impact against the Grizz, backstopping the Caps to a recent 3-2 win over Victoria. For Hammond, this will be his first time to the Bear in the visiting dressing room.

“It will definitely be nerve-wracking and fun to play against the Grizzlies,’’ said Hammond, who is an affiliated player with the Caps. “I know most of the guys on the team and I guess there will be a little bit

of revenge on my mind.’’

Hammond, who had seven goals and 14 assists in nine games with the Cougars, joined the Caps for a four-game road trip last week where the team went 1-3, including a 14-0 loss to the Vernon Vipers.

“The Capitals phoned me about two hours before the bus was about to leave on the trip and I joined the team. There are a lot of new players on the team and everyone is still trying to find the right system. We didn’t have a good road trip and it was a long bus ride home.’’

Pawlowski is tied for third in Grizz scoring with 10 points, one behind coleaders Dustin Mowrey and defenceman Jordan Heywood. Joel Lowry also has 10 points. FACE-OFFS:

The Grizz have a record of five wins, four losses and two ties for 12 points and they are tied for fifth place in the Coastal Conference with the Burnaby Express. Cowichan has a record of 48-1 for nine points . . . Victoria lost its last game 5-4 on the road Sunday to Nanaimo as the Clippers scored five goals in the second period . . . The Caps announced on Wednesday that 20-year-old forward Anthony Pedicaro will be rejoining the team. Pedicaro was released by the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL. Last year, he had 18 goals and 22 assists in 50 games with the Penticton Vees and the Caps.