Captain Owen Warnick scored the game-winner and Mikus Vecvanags stopped 26 shots as Victoria opened the BCHL season with a victory in Cowichan Valley.
The Victoria Grizzlies opened the 2026–27 BCHL season on a winning note Friday night, scoring twice in the third period to defeat the Cowichan Valley Capitals 3–1 at the Cowichan Community Centre.
Following a scoreless opening period, Cowichan Valley broke through first when Trace Frieden opened the scoring at 8:22 of the second.
Victoria answered on the power play less than six minutes later. Gabriel Courchesne scored his first of the season at 14:12, converting a setup from Levi Eiter to send the teams into the second intermission tied at one.
The Grizzlies took control early in the third.
Newly appointed captain Owen Warnick scored the eventual game-winner at 5:41, finishing a feed from Joey Brehmer to give Victoria its first lead of the night.
With the Capitals’ net empty in the final minute, Brehmer sealed the victory with his first goal as a Grizzly. Eiter collected his second assist of the night on the insurance marker at 19:27.
Mikus Vecvanags was sharp in his season debut, turning aside 26 of the 27 shots he faced. Victoria outshot Cowichan Valley 29–27 and held the Capitals scoreless on both of their power-play opportunities.
“I thought we stayed composed and continued to get better as the game went along,” said Grizzlies Head Coach and General Manager Geoff Grimwood. “We didn’t allow falling behind to change the way we played. We got a big response on the power play, Mikus was excellent when we needed him, and our leadership group stepped up in the third period. It was a strong team win to begin the season.”
Warnick was named the game’s first star, while Vecvanags earned third-star honours.
The Grizzlies return to action Saturday night when they visit the Alberni Valley Bulldogs at the Alberni Valley Multiplex. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Scoring Summary
- Victoria: Gabriel Courchesne, Owen Warnick, Joey Brehmer
- Cowichan Valley: Trace Frieden
- Shots: Victoria 29, Cowichan Valley 27
- Power play: Victoria 1-for-5, Cowichan Valley 0-for-2
- Goaltending: Mikus Vecvanags — 26 saves on 27 shots
