Winning streak continues for team canada at 2020 world wheelchair curling championship

For team Canada, success is by the numbers; namely the numbers five, two and four.

How so? Canada extended its undefeated streak to five games in a row with two wins on day four of the 2020 World Wheelchair Curling Championship from Wetzikon, Switzerland.

Canada successfully defeated Norway’s Jostein Stordahl 8-6 in session 10 and Latvia’s Polina Rozkova 7-4 in session 11.

The team, comprised of skip Mark Ideson of London, Ont. (throwing lead stones), Jon Thurston of Dunsford, Ont. (throwing fourth stones), Ina Forrest of Armstrong, B.C., Dennis Thiessen of Sanford, Man., alternate Collinda Joseph of Stittsville, Ont., coach Wayne Kiel of Balgonie, Sask., and assistant coach Mick Lizmore of Edmonton haven’t lost a match since their session 3 drubbing at the hands of Russia by a score of 8-1.

Thanks to their exemplary play since, they now boast a robust 6-1 round robin record which has them tied for second overall with Sweden. The 2019 World Wheelchair Curling Champions China, whom Canada has yet to face, are atop the standings with a perfect 7-0 record. 

After downing Latvia, Thurston suggested that Canada’s success is stemming from a measured approach to strategy.

“We just kept it clean. Good game for most of it – in the end they put more rocks in play because they were trying to come back,” said Thurston.

Timely shot making is also an integral ingredient to Canada’s current winning streak recipe. 

“We made shots when we needed to and it was good to get the win. We were going out there hoping for our best. I think it’s all coming together as the week goes on,” said Thurston. 

With only four games remaining in round robin play, Canada’s upcoming matches become increasingly important as playoff implications loom. Up next on the schedule for the Canadians is a pair of March 4 matches versus the Czech Republic’s Dana Selnekovicova at 3 a.m. (all times eastern) in session 12 and an 8 a.m. match versus Sweden’s Viljo Petersson-Dahl in session 13. 

Canada will play an 11-game round-robin, with the top six teams from the 12-team field making the playoffs. The first- and second-place teams will go straight to the semifinals, while No. 6 plays No. 3, and No. 5 plays No. 4 in the qualification round.

The qualification round and semifinals are on Friday, March 6, with the bronze- and gold-medal games on Saturday, March 7.

There are 12 total teams in the event, including Canada, 2019 champions China, Czech Republic, Estonia, Korea, Latvia, Norway, Russia, Scotland, Slovakia, Sweden and hosts Switzerland.

For additional details about the 2020 World Wheelchair Curling Championships, including schedules and team rosters, visit the World Curling Federation’s event website here.

Select matches will be streamed live. Click here for the stream and more.