SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. - The OCAA Curling Championships kicked off this morning at the YNCU Curling Centre. Draw 1 saw one women's match, a pair of men's matches and three mixed double games.
On the women's side, Humber versus Fanshawe kicked off the championship with Humber jumping out to an early 5-0 lead after four ends. Fanshawe would get two points back in the fifth end, cutting the lead to three. Humber would go on to add three more points, finishing off its opening game with an 8-2 victory.
In men's action, Confederation jumped out to an early 2-0 lead over Sault after taking a point in the first end and stealing one in the second. Sault would respond with three in the fourth and a single steal in the fifth taking a 4-2 lead. Sault would go on to win its opening match 6-3.
The other's men's game taking place was a competitive match between Humber and Mohawk. After blanking the first end, teams traded points in the second and third. Humber managed a triple in the fifth end to take a 4-3 lead down the stretch. Both teams would exchange singles once more, with Humber kicking off its championship with a 5-4 victory.
In mixed doubles action, Fleming-2 cruised past Fanshawe scoring four in the second end, stealing a pair in the third and adding another deuce in End 5. Fleming-2 went on to win its opening match 11-3.
Sault-1 versus Mohawk proved to be the tightest match in the opening window. Both teams swapped a single and a deuce through the opening four ends, setting up a dramatic finish. Mohawk stole a pair of singles, before Sault-1 scored a pair, tying things at five heading into the eighth end. Sault-1 stole the decisive point on a spectacular shot to win its opening game 6-5.
Sault-2 versus Fleming-1 was the final matchup in the opening draw. Sault-2 managed three points in the first end, before stealing another two points in the second end. Fleming-1 managed a deuce in the third end, but that would be as close as it would get in its opening game of the championships. Sault-2 went on to win 10-3.
DRAW 2
Draw 2 action kicked off at 11:30 a.m. at the YNCU Curling Centre. It was a full slate for mixed doubles with three matches, and a lone women's match for the midday draw.
It was an all Sault match-up in mixed doubles with Sault-1 jumping out to an early 1-0 lead over Sault-2 in the first end, stealing a pair in the second end and another single in the third end. Sault-2 would get back in the game with three points in the fourth end and a single steal in the fifth to tie things up 4-4. Sault-2 would go up 5-4 in sixth end, before Sault-1 responded with four points in the seventh end. Sault-2 would respond with three points in the eighth to set up an extra end. Sault-1 would prevail with two points in the extra end to improve to 2-0.
In the second mixed doubles match of the draw, Fleming-1 squared off against Humber, and were able to score three in the opening end. Humber responded with a single in the second end, and a pair of steals in the third and fourth ends to tie things up at three points a side. A four-point seventh end for Humber set them up for the victory as it went on to win 8-5.
The final mixed doubles match featured Fanshawe and Mohawk. Fanshawe took an early 1-0 lead in the first end, before Mohawk responded with three points in the second end. Mohawk never took its foot off the gas as it cruised to a 10-1 victory to grab its first win of the championship.
In women's action, Mohawk took on Fanshawe. Fanshawe managed a single point in the opening two ends, before Mohawk responded with a pair itself in the third end. Fanshawe added three points in the fourth end, and three in the fifth to take control of the match. Fanshawe went on to win the game 10-2.
DRAW 3
A full schedule of games in Draw 3 saw three mixed doubles contests, a pair of men's matches and a lone women's game.
Mixed doubles saw Humber jump out to an early 1-0 lead over Sault-2. Sault-2 recovered quickly with five points in the second end, and a steal of one in the third. Humber would close the gap to two after the fifth end. Sault-2 would take a single point in each of the next two ends. Humber would score four in the eighth end to force an extra end. Humber would take it in extra ends with a final score of 10-8.
In the second doubles game, Fleming-2 scored early taking a 1-0 lead over its in-school counterpart Fleming-1. Fleming-1 responded with three points of its own in the second end, and three more points in the third to go up 6-1. Fleming-2 would not be deterred by the early deficit as it rallied back to win the game 11-10.
The final doubles match of the draw saw Sault-1 take on Fanshawe. Sault-1 capitalized early and often as it pounced early and often, taking an 8-0 lead into the fourth end. Sault-1 would keep the clean sheet as it went on to win 10-0.
In men's action, Confederation came out hurling with an early 2-0 lead over Fanshawe. Fanshawe responded with a deuce in the second end, and that trend continued as the two teams finished the eighth end tied 5-5. Fanshawe managed a single and a 6-5 victory in the extra end.
The other men's game had Sault square off against Mohawk. Mohawk got out to a 3-1 lead after two ends. Sault managed a pair in the third end, but Mohawk responded quickly with three points of its own in the fourth end. After exchanging points over the next three ends, Mohawk walked away with an 8-6 victory.
The final women's match of the day had Mohawk jump out to a quick 1-0 lead over Humber. Humber responded with a five-point second end and did not look back as it cruised to a 10-3 victory.
Day 2 of the OCAA Championships goes Friday at the YNCU Curling Centre beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Championship Website: www.ocaa.com/curl
Live Webcast: www.youtube.com/@CurlingStadiumSoo
Source: Sault Cougars
- OCAA -
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