Kaeden Lane’s 28 saves aided the Penticton Vees to a 2-1 victory in the third game of the Interior Conference Quarterfinals against the Trail Smoke Eaters on Monday night, April 4.
The Vees needed just two goals to take a 2-1 series lead on the road, courtesy of markers from Luc Wilson and Casey McDonald.
After a scoreless opening frame, Penticton raced onto the scoresheet to take a 1-0 advantage. Wilson found the back of the net just six seconds into the second period.
A goal by McDonald — less than eight minutes later — would act as the eventual game-winner.
Trail’s Teddy Lagerback cut the deficit in half late in the middle frame, breaking Lane’s shutout bid in the process.
A scoreless third period, aided by strong performances by both Lane and Smoke Eaters netminder Cole Tisdale, would see the Vees hold on for a close Game No. 3. victory.
Penticton has won two consecutive games after dropping the series opener on home ice on Thursday (March 31).
Fred Harbinson’s squad will have an opportunity to take a commanding 3-1 series lead on Tuesday, April 5, at Trail’s Cominco Arena.
The series’ fourth game can be streamed on BCHL TV and listened to on Bounce Radio 800.
The Penticton Vees return to home ice at the South Okanagan Events Centre on Thursday, April 7 for game five at 7 p.m.
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logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com
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