Energized Team Canada works together to win against Team U.S.A.

All eyes were on the North American matchup between Team Canada and Team U.S.A. at the Auchenharvie Leisure Centre in Stevenston, Scotland, for a proud Canadian win to start off the 2025 World Wheelchair Curling Championship. The game ended in an 8-6 win for Team Canada, skipped by Gilbert Dash.

“Big win to start off the competition,” said Dash after his first game and win as the Team Canada skip. “I thought our team had really good communication, and that’s how we got the win tonight.”

Consisting of fourth Jon Thurston (Dunsford, Ont.), third/skip Gilbert Dash (Kipling, Sask.), second Douglas Dean (Thunder Bay, Ont.), lead Collinda Joseph (Stittsville, Ont.), fifth Chrissy Molnar (Trent Lakes, Ont.), and Head Coach Mick Lizmore, Team Canada maintained a steady presence for the entire game, notably scoring three in the sixth end that slowed the American momentum.

“We were being patient,” said Dash. “We knew we could make things happen; we just had to make sure that we could get it open so that we could take care of business. It was a scrappy game, and it was pretty cool to come out on top.”

Dash wasn’t the only one to triumph in the success of the evening’s win, as first-time Team Canada member Dean entered and exited the ice feeling nothing but proud to be wearing the Maple Leaf.

“I thought I was going to have some jitters at the beginning, but once we grouped together and discussed how to approach the game, my nerves disappeared,” said Dean. “Our team communication was very positive and really helped us to figure out the ice and get the edge on Team U.S.A. Wearing the Maple Leaf felt awesome.”

Past matchups between the two countries have seen similar close scores, with Team U.S.A. winning over the Canadian team 7-5 at the 2024 World Championship in South Korea. Canada holds a 4-3 record since 2020 against the United States.

Sunday, Team Canada takes on Team Norway at 9:30 a.m. and Team Japan at 2:30 p.m. (all times Eastern).