Max Kamper leads the Capistrano Coyotes with nine goals on the season. Photo: Leslie Bird
By Steve Breazeale
With three games remaining on their schedule, the Capistrano Coyotes ice hockey team has a firm grasp on first place in the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League Division 2 standings.
The Coyotes, made up of high school ice hockey players throughout the Capistrano Unified School District, are a perfect 12-0 on the season and are nine points clear of second-place Conejo Valley.
The Coyotes have followed up on their impressive 2013 debut throughout their sophomore season, scoring 78 goals while conceding only 32. Their 78 goals scored is second-best in the league and their 32 goals allowed ranks second behind Villa Park, who has only played nine games compared to the Coyotes’ 12.
The Coyotes most recent win came in the form of an 8-5 victory over ninth-place La Jolla on Jan. 4. The Coyotes erased a 4-1 second-period deficit with a flurry of goals from Cameron McCartin, Greg Lee and Mike Boutoussov. McCartin capped off a whirlwind offensive performance in the second period with his second goal of the game, which was the third Coyotes goal in one minute and 21 seconds.
On offense, the Coyotes have four players that have scored eight or more goals, led by Max Kamper’s nine. Austin Erickson, the team’s leader in points, has 11 assists and eight goals on the season. Boutoussov is tied for second on the team in points with 14.
In goal, the Coyotes have been using the goalie tandem of Curran Allison (.896 save percentage) and Braydon Doppert (.831). Allison is fifth in the league in saves (129) and goals against average (2.57), and third in save percentage.
The Coyotes defense has held opponents to two goals or less in five contests, including one shutout, which came against Newport-Mesa on Dec. 20.
Allison and Erickson will represent the Coyotes at the league’s All-Star game at Honda Center in Anaheim on Jan. 29. Jett Hunter will represent the junior varsity team.
The Coyotes next game will be a road match against San Diego Union on Jan. 31. The Coyotes defeated San Diego Union 6-2 in their previous matchup on Oct. 11.