HEARTBREAK FOR CANADA AT YOG 

CANADA LOSES HEARTBREAKER ON LAST ROCK AT YOUTH OLYMPICS 

Heading into the last end of the last game of Canada’s round robin at the Youth Olympics, a berth in the playoffs was looking good. Canada had a two-point lead, but Great Britain had the hammer – but hadn’t scored more than a single all day. 

Unfortunately, as Canada’s Cailey Locke (Conception Bay South, N.L.) and Simon Perry (Portugal Cove, N.L.) were certainly aware, mixed doubles curling has a way of encouraging unpredictable, high-scoring ends. 

“We played a great game,” said Perry. “We just got caught with some unfortunate angles in the last end, and ended up leaving our opponents a shot for the win.” 

Great Britain’s Cailie Soutar and Ethan Brewster made no mistake, putting three on the board, and taking home the win. The loss dashed Canada’s playoff hopes, dropping their record to 3-2, and moving them into third place in the ‘A’ pool.  

Great Britain ended up finishing first in the pool and earned their spot in the quarterfinals. 

“Obviously, we’re disappointed with how that one ended,” said Perry. “We’re still really proud of ourselves and our performance.” 

The Brits opened with a steal of one, but Canada promptly replied with a score of two in the second. Great Britain took one, and stole one, before Canada took the lead with another deuce in the fifth end. Great Britain added a single in the sixth to tie the game, but another deuce from Canada gave them a two-point lead heading into the eighth end. 

Britain’s final shot to score three was the dagger for Canada, who were supported by coaches Helen Radford and Jeff Hoffart.

“It was still an incredible experience for us,” said Perry. “It was an amazing feat for us to even earn the right to wear the Maple Leaf, and we represented our country proudly.” 

The Youth Olympic curling teams were selected from athletes aged 15-18, from across Canada. The four-player mixed team was set from the initial selection, while two boy/girl pairs played a best of seven series to determine Canada’s doubles reps. 

Locke and Perry fought back from a 3-1 deficit to win the berth. 

Great Britain went on to win their quarterfinal, and will face Sweden in the semifinal. The United States will face Denmark in the other semi for a shot in the gold-medal game.