HEAVYWEIGHT TILT AT MIXED 

SASKATCHEWAN BESTS NOVA SCOTIA IN MATCHUP OF UNDEFEATED TEAMS 

As the week goes on at any major curling competition, the games tend to get more difficult. While the Championship Pool play hasn’t begun yet, a few teams got a taste of what felt like playoff action today as the round robin continued. 

The top two teams in Pool A faced off, both entering the draw with undefeated records. Nova Scotia’s Owen Purcell took on Saskatchewan’s Jason Ackerman, both at 3-0, with the winner guaranteed a spot in the Championship Pool. 

“That was two heavy-weight mixed teams going at it,” said Ackerman. “There were a lot of really good shots!” 

Tied playing the eighth end, Purcell drew around a high guard to sit on the button, but Ackerman had last rock. His hack weight in-turn found the mark, chipping out the Nova Scotia counter, bringing three Saskatchewan counters into play, and cementing the 6-3 win. 

“It was gut-wrenching,” said Ackerman. “But that’s what you want. Early in the week, you want some nerves, to get the feels going, so when you’re in a big game later in the week it’s not new territory.” 

With their fourth win, Team Saskatchewan (Ackerman, Amber Holland, Sam Wills, and Colleen Ackerman) is guaranteed a top-four spot in the pool, which will advance them to the championship crossover round. 

“The sooner you can get that qualification, the better,” said Ackerman. “If you don’t qualify, you can’t win. So while you’re maybe not thinking about it, it’s definitely in the back of your mind.” 

On the neighbouring sheet, the only other undefeated team also improved to 4-0, when Quebec’s Don Bowser defeated New Brunswick’s Charlie Sullivan, 8-3. With scores of four in the fourth, and three in the sixth, the game was lopsided enough for New Brunswick to concede after seven ends. 

“We’re just going out there each game trying to put forth our best effort,” said Quebec skip Don Bowser. “We’re just trying to learn the ice, learn the rocks. But we’re feeling good. It’s getting comfortable out there.” 

Like Saskatchewan, Team Quebec (Bowser, Brenda Nichols, Dan deWaard, and Pamela Nugent) has now earned a spot in the Championship Pool. They still have to face Manitoba and P.E.I. in their final pool games. 

“Obviously, we want to move on to the next pool,” said Bowser, “but our focus is putting our effort into every individual game first.” 

With spots in the championship pool being locked down, the battle continues for the remaining berths. The top four teams from each pool advance, which means teams are desperate to avoid more losses. Two losses in six games is probably good enough to advance, while three might be too many – depending on tiebreakers and Last Shot Draw rankings. 

Elsewhere on the ice, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Trent Skanes defeated Northern Ontario’s Dylan Johnston in an extra end. Newfoundland improves to 3-1, while Northern Ontario drops to 2-2.  

Northwest Territories’ Jamie Koe dropped to 2-2 after losing to Alberta’s Kurt Balderston, who also improved to 3-1. 

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