Canadian Juniors Hang Tough at Worlds 

Both Canadian Entries Eyeing Playoff Spots at World Juniors 

Both Canadian teams finished Wednesday with .500 records, bringing them within sniffing distance of the playoff spots at the World Junior Championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. 

While both the men’s and women’s teams added wins in the last two draws, both sit with 3-3 records, and both sit in fifth place – one spot outside the top four headed to the playoffs. 

The women, skipped by Halifax’s Ally MacNutt, dropped their first game of the day, 8-4, to host Italy, before rebounding with a dominant 8-2 win over China. 

“We’re feeling really good after that game,” said Alison Umlah, second for Team Canada, on their win over China. “We capitalized on some early misses, and continued trending upward throughout the game.” 

The Canadians – MacNutt, Maria Fitzgerald, Umlah, and Grace McCusker – opened with a score of one, a steal of one, and a force of one in the first three ends. With a 2-1 lead after three, they added three more in the fourth, and steals in the fifth and sixth end to put the game out of reach. 

The women still have to face Korea, Latvia, and Norway in the final round-robin games with the playoffs definitely within reach.  

“We’re going to continue building on everything we’ve done so far,” said Umlah. “We still have to take it one shot at a tie, and we’re going to give it our all to earn a playoff spot.” 

The men, meanwhile, won their only game of the day with a 9-7 decision over Switzerland. The Calgary foursome of Kenan Wipf, Ky Macaulay, Michael Keenan, and Max Cinnamon took a tie game into the tenth, before stealing two to secure the win, evening their record at 3-3. 

“The tenth end was played very well,” said second thrower Keenan. “A clutch double by Kenan set up the steal. It was a very well-played game.” 

With three games to play, the Canadian men – like the women – are one spot out of a playoff berth.  

“It was a good win today,” said Keenan. “It was super important to keep us in the running for the playoffs.”  

The men still have to face Italy, Scotland, and Japan – all of whom are ahead of them in the standings. The round robin will wrap up on Saturday, with playoffs starting on Monday. 

For scores and schedules, visit the World Curling site here: https://livescores.worldcurling.org/wjcc/default  

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