March 26, 2016

Sting and Hawks claim Curling National Championships

After four days of competition, the Seneca Sting Women’s Team and the Humber Hawks Men’s Team were named the 2016 CCAA Curling National Champions. The All-Ontario finals had the Seneca Sting defeating the Fanshawe Falcons 8-4 in the Women’s final and the Humber Hawks defeating the Sault Cougars in the Men’s final by a final score of 8-4.

Women’s Draw:

In the semi-final, the host Fanshawe Falcons took on the NAIT Ooks. After a pair of blank ends, Fanshawe struck first, scoring one in the third end. After another blank end in the fourth, the Falcons stole three to take a 4-0 lead heading into the fifth end break. The Ooks scored one in the sixth but Fanshawe came right back with another three to take a commanding 7-1 lead after seven ends. After NAIT scored one in the eighth, the teams shook hands and the Falcons would take the win and move on to the final versus the Seneca Sting. In the final, neither team wanted to give up any ground early as the game stayed scoreless for the first two ends. Seneca scored two in the third and then stole four in the fourth to take a 6-0 lead. The Falcons managed to take two in the sixth and steal one in the seventh but ultimately Fanshawe was too far behind as the Sting went on the win by a final score of 8-4. This is the first National Championship for the Seneca Sting in Women’s Curling.

Men’s Draw:

In the second playoff tiebreaker on Saturday morning, the Augustana Vikings took on the Fleming Knights. In a back and forth game, the Vikings led 5-3 at the fifth end break, but the Knights had the hammer. The Vikings stole four over the next three ends and the Knights shook hands as Augustana led 9-3. The Vikings would battle it out against the Humber Hawks in the semi-final. The Hawks scored first in the third end and took a 1-0 lead but the Vikings came right back, scoring four in the fourth to take a 4-1 lead. Humber scored two in the next end but were down 4-3 to Augustana at the break. The teams went back and forth but the Vikings held a 6-4 lead with two ends to play. Humber came back in the ninth and scored two and then stole one in the tenth to make the come back and win 7-6. The Hawks would then head to the final to take on the Sault Cougars. In a very tight contest, the score was just 2-2 at the fifth end break. Humber broke out for three in the sixth end and led 5-2 before stealing three more in the eighth to seal the deal. Humber would go on to win by a final score of 8-4. This marks the first ever Men’s Curling National Championship for the Humber Hawks.

CCAA Championship Awards:

Final Standings:

Women:

Gold – Seneca Sting

Silver – Fanshawe Falcons

Bronze – NAIT Ooks

Men:

Gold – Humber Hawks

Silver – Sault Cougars

Bronze – Augustana Vikings

Fair Play Awards:

Women – Holland Hurricanes