Saints alone in last place at Western Canada Cup

The Alberta Junior Hockey League champion Spruce Grove Saints remain winless in the Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup at Fort McMurray.

The Saints blew an early 4-0 lead to drop a 5-4 decision to the host Fort McMurray Oil Barons on Tuesday at the Casman Centre, with their final round-robin game against the Portage Terriers at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

The loss likely eliminates the Saints, 0-3, from the playoffs and a chance to play in the RBC Cup Canadian championship May 9-17 at Portage la Prairie, Man.

The top four teams advance to Saturday’s semifinals. Two advance to the Canadian championship.

The Saints got off to a great start Tuesday, scoring four times on goals by Tyler Busch, Riley Simpson (power play), Travis McEvoy and Parker Mackay (short-handed).

The Oil Barons started to climb back into the game as Adam Durkee scored three goals within seven minutes and three seconds, twice on the power play. Trent Lofthouse (power play) and Isaac Ceh added two more before Durkee put the Oil Barons ahead for good.

The Oil Barons are currently tied for first place with Penticton Vees and Portage at 2-1. Their final round-robin game is 7:30 p.m. Thursday against the Melfort Mustangs (1-1).