Leaders emerge at the 2023 CCAA Curling Canada Championships

Leaders emerge at the 2023 CCAA Curling Canada Championships

Women's Championship

After an exciting opening round comeback, the Red Deer Queens found themselves on the other side of the equation to start day two, as the Niagara Knights stormed back in an exciting tilt. The Queens led 6-2 in the back half of the contest but the Knights scored six over the final four ends to claim the 8-6 victory and remain undefeated.

A late surge by the Concordia Thunder kept their record clean as well, persevering 8-5 over the Fanshawe Falcons. The SAIT Trojans fought hard to stay in their match with Humber, but the Hawks maintained their lead on route to a 9-5 win. Augustana came out firing on all cylinders, toppling the Sault Cougars 21-2.

The Women's evening draw had Concordia and Niagara trying to maintain their unbeaten streaks, but SAIT and Augustana took them to the limit. The Thunder were down late to the Trojans, and it took a CUE single in the ninth and a steal in the tenth to earn them the 7-6 win. Conversely, Niagara saw their two-point lead slip away late when Augustana notched a pair in the ninth. However, the Knights endured and claimed the final end for an 8-6 victory.

The Humber Hawks put together a second straight showing of strength and skill, beating their OCAA rivals the Fanshawe Falcons 9-3. While the Red Deer Queens bounced back from their morning loss with a 20-1 victory over the Sault Cougars.

Men's Championship

Sault versus SAIT was the highlight of the Men's first draw of the day. Tied 3-3 at the break, Sault took a single in the sixth but gave up three to the Trojans in the seventh. The Cougars responded immediately with four to reclaim the lead. The Trojans got one back in the ninth and nearly stole another in the tenth, but the Cougars held on for the 8-7 win.

The other three matches were close early, but the Concordia Thunder (11-4 over Fleming), Humber Hawks (8-4 over Augustana) and Mohawk Mountaineers (10-1 over NAIT) dominated the back half of their contests.

The Men's evening draw featured late-game drama across several sheets. The Mohawk Mountaineers appeared to be cruising to another victory, until the SAIT Trojans slammed the brakes in the eighth. Down five with three ends to play, the Trojans scored four in the eighth, stole one in the ninth and another two in the final frame for an incredible 9-7 come from behind victory.

The Concordia Thunder and Augustana Vikings needed extra ends to decide their contest. CUE held a sizeable 7-3 lead after eight, but Augustana responded with four over the last two ends. Holding the hammer in the 11th, the Thunder rolled to a hard fought 9-7 win.

Not to be outdone, the Sault Cougars found themselves in another nail-biter, when the NAIT Ooks staged a rally after falling behind 7-2. The Ooks scored three in the sixth and stole another in the seventh to pull within one, but Sault held on to win 9-6. Along with Sault, Humber maintained their unbeaten record by defeating the Fleming Knights 11-2.

Standings After Day Two

Women Record Men Record
Niagara Knights
Concordia Thunder
Red Deer Queens
Humber Hawks
Augustana Vikings 
Fanshawe Falcons
SAIT Trojans
Sault Cougars

3-0
3-0
2-1
2-1
1-2
1-2
0-3
0-3

Humber Hawks
Sault Cougars
Mohawk Mountaineers
Concordia Thunder
NAIT Ooks
SAIT Trojans
Augustana Vikings
Fleming Knights
3-0
3-0
2-1
2-1
1-2
1-2
0-3
0-3