The Oakville Blades are back in the playoff picture at the Royal Bank Cup national junior A championships, following a 7-6 upset of the Saskatchewan champion Humboldt Broncos, Wednesday, at Cornwall's Ed Lumley Arena.

Oakville (1-2) moved into a tie with the Broncos and Weeks Crushers for third spot in the tournament's round-robin standings. The Camrose Kodiaks owned a 2-0 record heading into their Wednesday night matchup with the Cornwall Colts (2-1).

Four of the five teams will advance to Saturday's semifinal round.

Oakville would have been eliminated with a loss to Humboldt, following losses to Cornwall and Weeks earlier in the tournament.

The Blades will close out their round-robin schedule Thursday night against Camrose. A win, or a Humboldt loss to Weeks Thursday afternoon, would qualify Oakville for the semifinal round.

Geoff Guimond had a hat trick for the Blades, though he was only officially credited with two goals. Jeremy Welsh added a pair, with Lindsay Sparks and Dustin Alcock rounding out the scoring.

The Blades led 3-2 after one, but a coughup by Oakville sniper Nick McParland late in the second period led to a Humboldt shorthanded marker and gave the Broncos a 5-4 lead heading into the second intermission.

Rather than fold, the Blades came out firing in the third. Welsh tied the game 4:58 into the frame, Guimond completed his hat trick 47 seconds later, and Sparks added another goal at the seven-minute mark.

Sparks' tally stood up as the winner, as Humboldt narrowed the score to 7-6 with 1:05 left in regulation.

"We just had to stay composed and focused. We were lacking confidence in the first two games," Guimond said. "Our veterans stepped up and said if we get a lead on them, we can hold it and pull off a victory."

Welsh said the team won't even pay attention the Broncos/Crushers game Thursday afternoon.

"We're expecting (the Broncos) to win," he said. "We won't sit back. We have to take control of our own situation here."