BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC

FOUR EASTERN PROVINCES FACE OFF AT CANADIAN MIXED 

While wins and playoff rankings are worth playing for, sometimes regional bragging rights can offer a bit of extra motivation. We see it all the time in sport, like in the CFL’s Labour Day matchups or the NHL’s Battle of Ontario. 

Monday at the 2024 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship in St. Catharines, Ont., we saw two skirmishes in what could be described as the “Battle of the Atlantic.” In draw four of pool play, Maritime rivals New Brunswick faced off against Prince Edward Island, while Nova Scotia battled their neighbours from across the water, Newfoundland and Labrador. 

Both games were tied playing the eighth end. While New Brunswick’s Charlie Sullivan didn’t need to throw his last rock for the win, Nova Scotia needed a miss from Newfoundland and Labrador’s Trent Skanes to steal the victory. 

“We were pretty lucky to escape with that win,” said Nova Scotia third Christina Black. “Sometimes you need a little luck on your side.” 

Skanes had a relatively simple hit-and-stick for the win, but rolled out of the house, allowing a Nova Scotia biter to count, stealing the point, and the 5-4 win. 

“We’re happy to be 3-0,” said Black. “We’re more excited to have a little break so we can relax a bit. Yesterday was a long day.” 

Nova Scotia sits at the top of Pool A with that record, while Saskatchewan’s Jason Ackerman improved to 2-0 with a win over Yukon’s Robert Smallwood. 

Sullivan and his New Brunswick team, meanwhile, were also tied coming home. Unlike Nova Scotia, however, he had the hammer. P.E.I.’s Tyler Smith attempted a tough draw with his last shot to put the pressure on Sullivan, but came up light, leaving three New Brunswick stones counting for an 8-5 final. 

“Early on they were outplaying us,” said Sullivan. “We were throwing everything deep, and they were making a lot of the soft-weight shots. Eventually we started throwing up some junk, and ended up getting a few misses out of them.” 

As for a provincial rivalry, Sullivan laughed and said they didn’t cross paths enough.  

“I think I’ve played him once before, last year at the Mixed, and a couple of them at Mixed Doubles.” he said. “I don’t play much anymore!” 

Elsewhere on the draw, Quebec’s Don Bowser beat Alberta’s Kurt Balderston, keeping them at the top of Pool B with a 3-0 record. All other teams in the pool have at least one loss. 

For up-to-date standings and scores, visit www.curling.ca/scoreboard. Streaming is available on Curling Canada’s YouTube  channel.