NOVA SCOTIA GOLD AT MIXED

NOVA SCOTIA DEFEATS SASKATCHEWAN ON LAST ROCK IN MIXED FINAL 

A national title was what this team was built for. Literally. 

“Last year, when we decided to play mixed, we wanted to put a team together that could win the national championship,” said Nova Scotia lead Jennier Baxter. 

After dispatching Manitoba’s Ryan Wiebe in the semifinal, Nova Scotia then took on top seed Saskatchewan – skipped by Jason Ackerman, in the Gold Medal Final. It all came down to a draw to the eight-foot for a 5-4 win, and a national championship. 

Team Nova Scotia – skip Owen Purcell, third Christina Black, second Adam McEachern, and lead Jennifer Baxter – entered the Saturday playoff round at the St. Catharines Golf & Country Club with a 9-1 record, as did their finals opponent. Saskatchewan was ranked No. 1 by virtue of the head-to-head result. 

“We joked about it during the game that we were both the mixed juggernauts, and we had our eyes set on them all week,” said Purcell. “We knew it was going to be a battle. We had to work really hard to wrestle the hammer from them early in the game, which we were able to do.” 

Although Team Saskatchewan opened with the last rock, Nova Scotia was able to steal a point in the first to offset the advantage. After trading singles in the second and third end, it was another steal in the fourth that put Nova Scotia up 3-1 at the break. 

“It was a great game,” said Baxter, “They played really well, and were able to keep it close.” 

Saskatchewan – with skip Ackerman, third Amber Holland, second Sam Wills, and lead Collen Ackerman – tied the game in the seventh end after being forced to a single, leaving Nova Scotia with the hammer coming home.  

“We wanted to get control of the game, and focused on having last rock in the eighth,” said Purcell. “ 

“Owen had his draw weight all week,” said Baxter. “We just wanted to leave him a draw to the four-foot on his last one… and that’s what happened.” 

“I was really confident throwing that shot,” said Purcell of his draw for the win. “The moment may have gotten to me a bit.”  

“Owen has made a lot of big shots in a lot of big games,” said Baxter. “He’s no stranger to this. However, on that last shot both of his hands were shaking.” 

Shakes or not, the shot was on the money, coming to rest in the back of the four-foot circle. The point capped off the victory and made the foursome from the Halifax Curling Club into Canadian Mixed Champions. 

“It all started last year after each of our teams lost our [mens and womens] provincials,” said Purcell. “We said ‘Let’s go hard after this together’ and won the mixed provincials – and wanted to come here and win a gold medal. We left everything we had out there, and I’m really proud of these guys. It was an amazing week.” 

Unfortunately for the winners, there is no World Mixed Championship on the schedule next year due to a packed Olympic schedule.  

In the bronze medal match, Alberta’s Kurt Balderston defeated Manitoba’s Ryan Wiebe.