The Spruce Grove Saints saw their 2025-26 season come to an abrupt end on April 8, 2026, after falling 9-3 to the Brooks Bandits at the Thompson Family Arena. The loss resulted in a four-game series sweep for the Bandits in the Interior East Division Semi-Finals.
The Saints, currently in their second season within the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), struggled to contain the Bandits throughout the first-round matchup. After finishing the regular season in fourth place, the Saints faced a difficult path against the division-leading Bandits.
During the clinching game, the Saints saw two goals from forward Declan Waddick. Goaltenders Ryan De Kok and Finn Marshall split time in the net, combining for 22 saves while facing significant offensive pressure from the opposition. For the Bandits, forward Dmitrijs Dilevka proved to be a difficult challenge for the Saints’ defence, recording six points in Game 4 and totaling 15 points throughout the four-game series.
This playoff series marks the conclusion of a transition period for the organization, which joined the league in 2024 following a long history in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. The hockey operations, led by General Manager Rob Sklaruk and interim head coach Martin Lachaine, now look toward the off-season as the defending champion Bandits move on to the next round of the playoffs.
