Playoffs looming at University Championships

THUNDER BAY, Ont. (U SPORTS) – The 16 teams competing for the U SPORTS/Curling Canada University Championships continued play in the fourth and final day of the round robin to solidify their position in the playoffs that will take place tomorrow. Lakehead’s Hailey Beaudry lead her team in a big 10-6 win against the X-Women’s Emma Logan. The Thunderwolves took an impressive 6 points in the 7th that sealed the deal and put the Thunderwolves at 3-3. There are 3 other teams with 3-3 records, all fighting for semifinal position. 2016 World Junior women’s champion Kristin Clarke pushed past the UNB Varsity Reds by a single point after stealing two points in the tenth. The Tigers 8-7 win over UNB pushes their record to 3-3. “The tournament is going well so far, we are really enjoying the experience. We definitely have had some up and down games and struggled to get a feel for the ice early on in the event but I feel we are finally starting to get a read on it and what it is doing and that has allowed us to build some momentum,” stated Kristin after the game. The Tigers will face Ryerson (2-4) next and Clarke says, “we are feeling confident about tonight and will know to keep an eye on the speed as the game progresses and that will help us make sure we are at our best” The Alberta Pandas easily edged Laurentian’s Krysta Burns. 13-2. making it their 6th straight win of the tournament. The Pandas have won every game so far by at least four or more points and will face host Lakehead University next to determine weather they will stay perfect in round robin play. Regina defeated Ryerson 7-6, taking 2-points in the third, fifth and eighth. This will put both the Cougars and Rams at 2-4 with one more game to play. One the men’s side, UPEI picked up their 4th straight win that now bumps them up to second behind Memorial. The Panthers Chris Gallant defeated Regina in a convincing 7-2 victory. Memorial remain perfect in the round robin with a win against Dalhousie. The Tigers had a lead on Memorial 5-1 after the 5th, but the Sea-Hawks pulled it together scoring 2 in the sixth and then earning an unlikely steal of two in the tenth when skip Robert Mayhew came up light in a draw to the eight foot area. Laurier’s Matt Hall took down Alberta’s Thomas Scoffin 6-4 and now both teams sit at 3-3. Queen’s also defeated Host Lakehead in a tough 5-4 match up that puts the Gaels 3-3 and fighting for a play off position with two other teams. The final draw of the round robin will take place at 7:00 p.m. EST at the Fort William Curling Club in Thunder Bay. The semi-finals and medal games will be played Wednesday, March 22. Championship website (complete results): https://en.usports.ca/championships/curling/index https://www.curling.ca/2017university/