Mustangs lead the charge after third day of championship action

SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. - After three days of round robin competition at the OUA Curling Championships at the Community First Curling Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, the men’s Western Mustangs’ rink will be the only team to enter day four with a perfect record.

The ‘Stangs, skipped by Ryan Thompson-Brown, are currently 5-0 in Pool B after defeating the Toronto Varsity Blues, 9-2. The Mustangs commanded the ice in draw 11, earning two points in ends three, four, and five. Competition continued into the seventh, when the purple and proud sealed their fate, earning another two, to give them their lone win of the day.

Western will look to extend their winning streak tomorrow morning when they take on last year’s host, the UOIT Ridgebacks (2-3).  Win or lose, the Mustangs will advance to the finals, which begin tomorrow evening at 7:00pm. They are the only team to have guaranteed their spot in the finals as of Saturday evening.

In Pool A for the men, the Carleton Ravens, Brock Badgers, and Waterloo Warriors are locked in a three-way tie at 5-1. All three teams will take to the ice in Draw 13 in pursuit of a win. Carleton will take on the Queen’s Gaels and Brock and Waterloo will go head-to-head to decide their outcome.

On the women’s side, the Toronto Varsity Blues, skipped by Mackenzie Kiemele, are the only team to have earned five wins. Toronto will need to continue their momentum against the Laurier Golden Hawks on Sunday to guarantee themselves a spot in the quarter finals for Pool A.

Behind Toronto stands Lakehead, Laurier, and Queen’s, each at 4-2. Their play-off contention will be decided in Draw 13.

In Pool B, Laurentian and Guelph stand atop the leader board at 4-1. The Voyageurs will take on the ‘Stangs and the Gryphons will challenge the Warriors. Both opponents are 2-3.

Despite home ice advantage, neither Algoma team was able to snap their losing streak on day three. The men’s rink, skipped by Johnathan Lalonde, was handed losses by Guelph and Waterloo. Lauren Rogers’ Algoma squad suffered defeat at the hands of Trent and Ryerson.

Both teams are 1-5. They will play their final games of the championship tomorrow and will not qualify for playoffs. Algoma will take on rival Northern Ontario team, the Lakehead Thunderwolves. For Lalonde and Rogers, this will be the last time they throw rocks on behalf of the Thunderbirds, as both are slated to graduate in 2018.

Off the ice, teams were treated to a special meet and great over lunch with Olympic championships and alumni Team Jacobs. Brad Jacobs, Ryan Harnden, and former Team Canada Head Coach Tom Coulterman joined the 30 teams at the Community First Curling Centre.

The final two draws of round robin competition will play out tomorrow at 9:00am and 12:30pm.

For more information on the OUA Curling Championships, including schedules and rosters, please visit algomathunderbirds.ca/oua-curling-championships-2018.