Right the ship!

Team Nova Scotia #1’s Calan MacIsaac clinches first win at 2024 New Holland Canadian Under-21 Curling Championship

It took three cracks at it, but Team Nova Scotia #1’s Calan MacIsaac found the win column for the first time on Tuesday with a 7-5 victory over Northern Ontario’s Jesse Rajala (1-3; Sudbury) at the 2024 New Holland Canadian Under-21 Curling Championship. 

It’s perhaps a little surprising for the now 1-2 Truro Curling Club team, completed by third Nathan Gray, second Owain Fisher, lead/vice-skip Christopher McCurdy and coach Craig Burgess, who were quarterfinalists at the 2023 New Holland U-21s to only find its first win on the third day of competition at the Suncor Community Leisure Centre at MacDonald Island Park in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo, Alta. 

“Nice to finally get in the winning circle,” said MacIsaac. “That was a big momentum game there, so, hopefully we’ll keep the wins going now.” 

But with the top three teams in each of the two nine-team pools qualifying for a playoff spot, and the top seed receiving a bye to the semifinal, MacIsaac expressed that this first win is more about keeping away from a dreaded third loss. 

“Three losses and you’re banking on other teams to lose, and you need a good LSD to get in,” said MacIsaac. “It would be nice to get these last five wins and secure our spot if we can.” 

MacIsaac knows his team will need to find another gear in order to win its way out of pool play. 

“We’re not playing to our full ability yet,” said MacIsaac. “We’re slowly getting there. We’re getting better and better every game so hopefully these next few games, we come out firing and really show people what we’re really here for.’ 

It’s a team laden with talent and international experience, and a team that has proven to have plenty of gears to access. MacIsaac has thrice worn a Nova Scotia Jacket at the Canadian U-18 and U-21 level. Third Nathan Gray skipped Canada’s 2024 Youth Olympic mixed team at Gangwon, South Korea, with teammate Owain Fisher, who play second, alongside 2023 U-18 and U-21 Canadian women’s champions Chloe Fediuk and Allie Iskiw rounding out the Canadian lineup.  

It’s experience they’ll rely on as the pressures of amassing five straight wins mounts.  

“Having that national and international experience definitely helps with the pressure levels,” said MacIsaac.  

Meanwhile, Team Saskatchewan #2’s Dylan Derksen tacked another win onto his unblemished record, dicing up Team Québec’s Adam Bédard (0-3; Rouyn-Noranda) 12-3 in only eight ends. 

The 2024 Canadian Under-18 silver medallists are putting teams on notice with their exemplary 4-0 record so far at the 2024 U-21s, and even catching themselves a bit by surprise. 

“Unbelievable,” said Derksen. “Being a U-18 team here, we didn’t really know where we stacked up, but it’s crazy. It’s kind of unbelievable.” 

The win keeps the Martensville Curling Club rink atop the Pool A standings, keeping pace with Team Manitoba #1’s Jordon McDonald (4-0; Winnipeg). 

“Didn’t really expect that coming in,” said Derksen of his interim top pool position. “But here we are. We’re playing well. Hopefully we’ll keep it rolling. We’re just working well together. Communication is really good and when things aren’t going well, we’re picking each other up.” 

Action from the 2024 New Holland Canadian Under-21 Curling Championships resumes on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m., (all times Mountain). 

Select games from two sheets will be broadcast live on Curling Canada’s streaming platform, Curling Canada +. Sheet C will feature a complete broadcast with commentary and sheet D will be a static overhead camera broadcast. 

For the list of teams, draw, standings and live scores, visit the event website.