Brett Hextall scored twice and the Penticton Vees survived a third period scare in posting a 5-2 win over the hometown Westside Warriors Wednesday night.

With the win, the Vees sweep the best-of-seven Interior Conference final.

Penticton awaits the winner of the Coast Conference final between Langley and Nanaimo. That series is tied 2-2.

The Vees dominated the opening two periods, building a 3-0 lead on a pair of goals from Hextall and one off the stick of Austin Smith.

The Warriors finally got rolling midway through the third when Justin Schultz beat Alex Evin on the short side with a blast from the left point on a power-play. Three minutes later, David Arduin converted a pretty three passing play to cut the deficit to one.

Denver Manderson put the game out of reach with just over two minutes left after the Warriors gave the puck away in their own end.

Cory Schneider closed out the scoring into an empty net.

After blowing a 3-1 series lead against Vernon, Vees coach Fred Harbinson says he didn't want to give the Warriors any advantage.

"Absolutely, especially when you're playing against a team like Westside. They were only a few points behind us in the standings so you're not talking about playing against an eighth seed," says Harbinson.

"We wanted to get in here and get it over with and obviously if we want to keep moving on we need a little rest."

Both teams expected a long, tough series.

Hextall says he was surprised it was over so quickly.

"They're a very good team. We have a lot of respect for them," says Hextall.

"They're a team that never quits. They have some skill and really developed into a complete team as we got closer to the playoffs."

Following the game, the Vees were presented with the Ryan Hadfield Memorial Trophy.

Hextall accepted the trophy but in a time honoured tradition, refused to touch it.

"Nothing feels better than winning and having success, but we have bigger things ahead of us. This trophy is alright, but there are bigger ones that we want."

In the other side of Royal LePage Place, an obviously dejected Warriors coach Mark Howell says it never feels good when a season ends in defeat.

"I think everybody is absolutely crushed as far as what's happened," says Howell.

"The only thing that's disappointing is we're a better team than four straight, but give Penticton credit, they played a good series. If we would have played the whole series like we played the third it probably would be a different story today."

After the Vees iced the game with the empty net goal, Howell sent out all six 20-year-olds, Stephen Caple, Damon Milsom, Brady Mason, Arduin, Clinton Pettapiece and Pierre Girard, who played their final game in a Warriors uniform.

"I think you owe it to your 20-year-olds to allow the fans to show some gratification and salute them for their efforts over their junior career. I think that's just a pretty easy decision on a coach to make sure those people get that opportunity."