New champions set to be crowned as semifinal matchups take shape

SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. - Two new teams will be crowned OUA Curling Champions tomorrow afternoon at the Community First Curling Centre in Sault Ste. Marie. Last year’s defending champions were ousted from competition in quarter-final play, leaving way for two new victors to take the coveted title.

The defending Laurentian Voyageurs women’s team and the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks men’s team will return to their respective hometowns empty handed after being dealt tough losses in the quarter finals.

On the men’s side, the Western Mustangs, Ryerson Rams, Brock Badgers, and Waterloo Warriors will go head-to-head in semi-final action tomorrow morning to qualify for a podium finish.

The Mustangs will take on the Rams for the second time in the championships. In their first meeting of the OUAs, the ‘Stangs commanded the ice, defeating the Rams 8-2.

The Mustangs are the only team in the standings with a perfect record of six wins.

Brock and Waterloo will also compete against each other for the second time in the championships. Earlier today, the Badgers and Warriors kept it close. A single in the eighth end gave Waterloo the win, 4-3, and a spot in the play-offs.

For the women, the Queen’s Gaels, Brock Badgers, Laurier Golden Hawks, and Lakehead Thunderwolves will continue their pursuit for an OUA title.

Queen’s will attempt to knock off Brock for the first time in the tournament.

Lakehead will try to repeat Friday’s performance against Laurier, when they defeated the Golden Hawks 8-1 in only six ends of play.

Semi-finals begin on Monday at 9:30am.

Gold and bronze medal games begin at 2:00pm with a special banner and trophy presentation happening at 4:30pm.

All games are free and open to the public.

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