Canada back on track with pair of wins at World Wheelchair Curling Championship

Moose Jaw’s Dash, Wright in action with Team Canada at championship in Richmond, B.C.

After dropping their opening game at the World Wheelchair Curling Championship in Richmond, B.C. on Saturday afternoon, Team Canada has quickly gotten back on track.

Canada -- which includes Moose Jaw Curling Centre competitor Gil Dash at second and 2018 Paralympic bronze medalist Marie Wright as alternate -- rebounded with an 8-2 win over Czechia in their second game Saturday before opening Day 2 with a 6-4 win over the United States on Sunday.

After falling to defending Paralympic Games gold medalist China in their first contest, things went far better in Canada’s second game against Czechia Saturday.

They wasted little time getting things going with three in the first end, and after taking a 4-1 lead in the third, a steal of three the following frame gave the tournament hosts control of the contest. Another steal in the fifth made it an 8-1 game, and after Czechia was held to a single point the next end, they’d opt to shake hands.

Things were far closer in their first game Sunday, as Canada would pick up deuces in the first and fourth ends to lead 4-1, but saw the U.S. pick up single points the next two frames to make it a one-point game heading into the seventh. There,

Canada picked up an all-important deuce to make it 6-3, and they’d hold the U.S. to a single point in the eighth to secure the win.

Playing alongside Dash and Wright are perennial Team Canada members in skip Jon Thurston, third Ina Forrest and lead Mark Ideson.

Team Canada opened the tournament with an 8-4 loss to China, but made things plenty interesting in the process.

Canada got off to a bit of a rough start, as a deuce in the fourth end and steal in the fifth gave China a 4-1 lead through five. Cue the comeback, though, as Canada scored one in the sixth and stole points in the seventh and eighth to tie the game 4-4. That sent things to an extra end, where China would score four to secure the win. Canada is back in action during the evening draw Sunday when they take on Latvia (1-2).

Canada’s 2-1 record is good enough for third place, tied with Japan and Korea and a win back of unbeaten China and Norway.

Team Canada continued their tournament run against Japan and Norway on Monday, Italy and Scotland on Tuesday, Korea and Sweden on Wednesday and Denmark in their lone game on Thursday, The qualification games take place Friday, followed by the semifinals Saturday and medal games Sunday.

Wright and Dash will also be in action with Team Saskatchewan during the Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championships, beginning Mar. 19 at the Moose Jaw Curling Centre.

Be sure to check back for plenty of world championship updates throughout the week, and follow along with the action at www.worldcurling.org.

Semifinals set in Original 16 Cash League

KMS Construction defeats KalTire, John’s Music downs Froehlich as upsets take hold in second round.

The Original 16 Cash League might have made it through the first round without seeing the usual slate of big upsets, but things were far different in the quarter-finals on Wednesday night at the Moose Jaw Curling Centre.

Two of the league’s top-four teams were knocked from contention, with sixthseed John’s Music and Ryan Wenarchuk surprising Matt Froehlich in the biggest upset of the night.

It was anything but easy for Wenarchuk, though, as he needed a pair of big ends late in the game to secure the win. The teams were tied 2-2 through three ends when Wenarchuk stole a pair to take the lead, but Froehlich would get that back and then some with a three-spot in the fifth for a 5-4 edge. Wenarchuk took control from there, though, replying with three of his own in the sixth and tacking on a steal of two the following frame to bring things to an early completion.

A big end made all the difference in the other upset on the night, as fifth-seed KMS Construction’s Ben Gamble took a 6-4 win over fourth-seed Dustin Woloschuk and KalTire. Gamble did almost all the damage he’d need to do in the second end, as a four-spot gave his rink a quick 4-0 lead. Woloschuk got one back in the third, but a Gamble deuce in the fifth made it a 6-1 lead. Woloschuk closed ground with points the next two ends but would run out of rocks in the eighth.

Things weren’t as close in the contest between defending champion and top-seed BTN Chartered Accountants and Pups Parlour. Penny Barker and her undefeated crew scored four in the second end and stole four in the third for a quick 8-1 lead over Jaedon Miller, and after the teams exchanged single points the next two ends, the rinks shook hands.

The other quarter-final saw Protec Studios’ Tyler Krupski score points in three straight ends to take a 6-2 win over Rod Montgomery. Krupski picked up single points in the second and third ends before stealing four in the fourth for an 8-0 lead. Montgomery got two back in the fifth, but the teams would call it a night,

The consolation games saw R.K. Sunview’s Dayne Heisler -- fresh off his appearance in mixed doubles curling in the Saskatchewan Winter Games -- pick up his first win of the season with an 11-2 victory over Joe Gunnis and EMJ Marketing. A four-spot in the second end gave Heisler a 5-0 lead, and leading 5-2 through four, he’d tack on two more in the fifth and four in the sixth to secure the win.

The other game on the night saw ProTec Electric and Stan Barnsley battle to a 6-3 win over Fountain Tire’s Barry Silk. Tied 2-2 through two ends, Barnsley stole one in the third and three in the fourth to go up 6-2. Silk got one back in the fifth but would shake hands.

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NAFR Branch 23 ( Nat. Association of Federal Retirees) Recruitment Drive & Roast Beef Dinner with desert & B.B.B. guest speaker will be March 15 ( Wed) at 510 Main St. N. Moose Jaw in the Tim Eaton’s Hall. Better Business Bureau Speaker topic: Scams. Cost $10.00/member and/ or guest. Pre-Registration:REQUIRED BY MARCH 9,( Thurs.) 2023 by calling 306-693-0717 Or emailing nafrmj23@outlook.com . Registration is limited to 1st 50 people. Doors open at 5pm-meal 5:30 pm..speaker at 6:30 followed by AGM afterwards.

Non members Welcome! Come and learn what N.A.F.R. is and about Scams and how to avoid them.

Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan Moose Jaw Branch Luncheon Meeting will be held on Wednesday, Mar 15, 2023 at 10:00AM at the Masonic Hall,1755 Main St. N. Meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. Program: (TBA) Noon: Luncheon Roast Beef Dinner, Caterer: Charlotte’s : Cost: $10pp STS member and partner. $20 non-members. Please RSVP to Rosealie by Friday March 10/23. Next: All Luncheon Dates will be at the Masonic Hall: Wed. May 17/23. email: marcilr@sasktel.net

Minto United Church and Alliance Church 13-week Grief Recovery Support Groups in Moose Jaw – in person or online - using the GriefShare program which can be viewed at GriefShare.org. Leone Townend has been leading the Grief support ministry at Minto United for several years/Ralph Magnus recently moved to Moose Jaw and brings to the Alliance Church his experience of leading a Griefshare ministry from the Edmonton area. Anyone is welcome from any faith background as well as those who have no religious affiliation. GriefShare provides three opportunities for participants; 1. video teaching by pastors and counsellors, 2. a weekly group discussion and 3. individual workbooks with self reflection exercises for participants to complete during between meetings. Anyone continuing to struggle with grief weeks, months or even years after the death of a significant loved one could benefit from participating in a GriefShare group. Please contact either or both for more information. Minto United Church Online group - Leone Townend, Co-ordinator @ 306-631-9044 or Moose Jaw Alliance Church (MJAC) In-person group meetings at MJAC- Ralph Magnus, GriefShare coordinator @ 780-4566487 (cell). Meetings have already started and are 13-week groups, but new participants are welcome to join at any time.

Mulberry Estates Hosting Learn to Paint Afternoon on March 9th at 2pm. Beginners welcome! Call Tricia @ 306.684.0202 to reserve your spot today!! Limited space available.

Moose Jaw Town and Country Singles Dance on Saturday March 11,2023 at Church of Our Lady Community Center 566 Vaughan St. W. from 7:30 to 11:00 pm. Band is Leon Ochs. Come on out for an evening of fun! Married couples are welcome! Cost is $15 per person. For more information call 306691-6634.

“Evening Around the World” International Dinner and Celebration Fundraiser will take place on March 10th to Savour diversity through experiencing cuisine and entertainment from across the globe; This event in support of the needs of and programming for Newcomers to Canada, and is coordinated by The Moose Jaw Multicultural Council in partnership with the Moose Jaw and Wakamow Rotary Clubs. Tickets can be purchased in-person at the Moose Jaw Event Centre Box Of-