Day Three starts to paint the playoff picture at the CCAA Curling Canada Championships

Women's Championship

Teams were vying to improve their playoff odds as the 2023 CCAA Curling Canada Championships reached the midway point. The Humber Hawks did just that with a morning draw victory over the Augustana Vikings. The match was tied up after six, but the Hawks scored three over the next two ends. Despite a single from the Vikings in the ninth the Hawks held on to win 6-4 and improve their record to 3-1.

The SAIT Trojans and Sault Cougars also played an entertaining contest that saw SAIT score two in the final frame to secure the victory 7-4. The undefeated Niagara Knights and Concordia Thunder continued their march to the playoffs with wins over the Fanshawe Falcons (8-2) and Red Deer Queens (11-7) respectively.

Following the afternoon draw, only the Niagara Knights remain undefeated on the Women's side of the Championship. Their opponents, the Sault Cougars played admirably behind a chorus of cheers from the stands, winning half of the ends. However, the Knights posted a couple of big scores early, earning the 14-4 victory, and now take a 5-0 record into the weekend.

Another match of consequence saw Humber pull even with Concordia in the standings at 4-1. The Hawks were behind early but stole six points to down the Thunder 7-2. Augustana kept their playoff hopes alive with their 14-8 win over SAIT and Red Deer moved above .500 by defeating Fanshawe 11-2.

Men's Championship

The Men’s early draw featured two matches that came down to the last stone. The Mohawk Mountaineers were hoping to get back in the win column after a tough defeat the night before, but the Augustana Vikings stood in their way. The Vikings controlled the first half of the game forcing the Mountaineers to chip away at their lead. Tied at five in the final end the teams did their best to claim the button, but a close inspection of the stones resulted in a steal and victory for Mohawk.

The SAIT Trojans looked to be in firm control of their match with the Concordia Thunder but CUE managed to pull within one by posting three in the ninth. The Thunder hoped to force an extra end with a steal, but SAIT drew to the button to earn a single point and the 8-6 victory. The Humber Hawks and Sault Cougars dictated their contests on route to wins over the NAIT Ooks (9-0) and Fleming Knights (12-2).

Similar to the women’s pool, only one men’s team remained unbeaten at the end of the day. Concordia looked to spoil Humber’s perfect record, scoring three out of the gate before losing the lead. In the eighth end the Hawks held a slight 6-5 edge, but CUE navigated a wall of guards to claim shot rock with their last stone. Undaunted, Humber used the hammer to clear Concordia from the house, doubling their score and preserving their winning streak.

Sault also entered this draw without a loss, but Mohawk set the tone early in their matchup, winning the first five sets. Sault earned a few back but the deficit proved to be too much, and the Mountaineers won the match 10-4, pulling even with the Cougars in the standings. Augustana got in the win column by beating NAIT 8-3 while SAIT moved up into fourth place with an 8-3 victory over Fleming.

Standings After Day Three

Championship Website

Live Scoring

Photos