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Penticton Vees’ Beanie Richter, Luc Wilson propel team to commanding 3-0 series lead

A Vees win on Wednesday, May 4 will put the Penticton team playing the finals for the Fred Page Cup
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Luc Wilson and Beanie Richter each scored twice on Monday, May 2, propelling the Penticton Vees to a 5-2 victory and 3-0 series lead in the Interior Conference Finals. (Photo: Penticton Vees)

The Penticton Vees are one win away from advancing to the Fred Page Cup Finals.

A pair of goals from both Luc Wilson and Beanie Richter helped the Vees push the West Kelowna Warriors to the brink of elimination on Monday night, May 2, winning the Interior Conference Finals’ third game 5-2 to take a 3-0 series lead.

Penticton has now outscored West Kelowna by a margin of 19-3 in the conference finals’ first three games.

Wilson’s two-point night gives him 19 for the playoffs, tied for the most in the B.C Hockey League.

Richter, meanwhile, scored his first-career BCHL playoff goal during the game’s opening frame.

Fred Harbinson’s squad has won 11 playoff games in a row, after losing Game No. 1 against the Trail Smoke Eaters in the playoffs’ opening round.

Along with the two-goal performances from Wilson and Richter, Penticton used a marker from Josh Nadeau just 55 seconds into the affair.

Frustration on the Warriors’ side was evident, with the team taking a whopping eight penalties on Monday night.

Prior to Monday’s game, Penticton goaltender Kaeden Lane had only allowed one goal in the two previous games. His shutout streak was extended to 137 minutes before Warriors forward John Evans spoiled the netminder’s party at the 13:46 mark of the final period.

Penticton’s fast start to the Interior Conference Finals has resulted in league-wide recognition for team forwards Jackson Nieuwendyk and the aforementioned Wilson, who were named as the BCHL’s second and third stars of the week, respectively.

The Vees will have an opportunity on Wednesday, May 5, to punch their ticket to the Fred Page Cup Finals, the series that determines the BCHL champions.

Puck drop for the series’ fourth game is at 7 p.m. in West Kelowna.

READ MORE: A look at the Interior Conference Finals from West Kelowna’s perspective

READ MORE: Penticton Vees’ Fred Harbinson wins B.C. Hockey League Coach of the Year award