Playoff Picture Set!

Defending champions from Saskatchewan advance to final of 2024 Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championship

Teams Saskatchewan #1, Newfoundland and Labrador, and British Columbia have advanced to the playoffs at 2024 Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championship. 

It all came down to the final round-robin draw. Four teams were in playoff contention with multiple possible scenarios depending on results from the draw. For defending champions Saskatchewan #1’s Team Gil Dash, a win would mean finishing in first place, and a loss would mean missing out on the playoffs. 

Dash and his Moose Jaw, Sask.-based team of Marie Wright, Moose Gibson, and Sheryl Pederson won 5-4 in a close game against Quebec’s Team Carl Marquis.  

“We took the tough route,” said Dash. “We had chances, and it was all in our own destiny. We started out really well during the week and it just goes to show how tough all the teams are here. It was the ones that were lower in the standings that we had more troubles with. Now we’re into the finals and we’re happy about that.” 

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Team Douglas Dean won their final round-robin game over Team Mike Fitzgerald of New Brunswick by a score of 8-3, advancing them to Saturday’s semifinal in second place. They have the same 8-2 record as Team Saskatchewan #1, but Team Dash got the bye to the final because they won the head-to-head against Team Newfoundland and Labrador. 

“I’m really excited,” said Team Newfoundland and Labrador lead Cecilia Carroll. “I can’t believe we’re in this position and I’m so happy because we’ve worked so hard to get here. We just have to hang in for one more day and we’re really looking forward to tomorrow.” 

Carrol and fellow Newfoundland-based teammate Felix Green teamed up with Thunder Bay’s Dean and Ottawa’s Katie Hubbard to field a team for nationals. Dean previously skipped Team Northern Ontario and won a silver medal at the 2023 national championship. 

“We pulled our team together at the last second,” said Carroll. “I’ve curled with Katie before and she’s a good curler, and I’ve curled with Doug at the national level in the National Team Program. Doug’s got a good hitting ability and he’s skipped, as I have, but I find I’m a really good lead and I’ve really curled well this week and I’m really proud of it. Felix and I in St. John’s have worked really hard this year. Lots of practices, working on delivery, so I thought we’d make a good team and we’d gel and we’ve done extremely well. I think a lot of people are really surprised.” 

In a key final round-robin matchup, British Columbia’s Team Gerry Austgarden faced Dennis Thiessen’s Manitoba team in a must-win game for both teams. Austgarden and his teammates Ina Forrest, Rick Robinson, and Glen McDonald won 9-2 over Team Manitoba and advanced to the semifinal game in third place overall. 

“We knew we needed the two wins today,” said Forrest. “It was a relief to get the wins and depend on ourselves and not rely on the rest of the teams to help you win. It’s a long week. Our last two games have been really solid, so we’re going to play the same kind of game tomorrow.” 

Now down to the final three teams, a total of 11 teams representing eight provinces competed in the 2024 Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championship. Dash, Wright, and their coach Lorraine Arguin have the chance to make history on Saturday as they go for a record-setting fifth national wheelchair curling title. 

“We have to come out going for every shot,” said Dash. “We have to make sure we’re focused and doing our best. It’s going to be so hard tomorrow but we’re going to bring what we can and go for the gold.” 

Tickets are available for the 2024 Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championship final and can be purchased by CLICKING HERE. 

Playoff games are available to watch on Curling Canada’s streaming platform Curling Canada+ (https://plus.curling.ca/).  

For scores, team lineups, schedule information and latest news from the championship, visit the event website, www.curling.ca/2024wheelchair.