International
2019 FISU Winter Universiade Day 5: Matthew Hudec strong 19th place finish in men’s biathlon 12.5 km pursuit
Both Canadian curling teams were battling to clinch a playoff spot at the 29th Winter Universiade on day five of the Games. For the women’s squad, they accomplished this task with a thrilling 9-8 win over Russia and then followed up with a 7-6 extra end win over Italy. For the men’s curling team, it was not the result they were looking for. They lost 10-4 to the Czech Republic in eight ends yet remain in the playoff hunt with one day of round robin competition left on Friday, March 8.
Women’s Curling
The women’s curling team (6-2) of skip Kristen Streifel (Alberta; Clavet, Sask.), third Danielle Schmiemann (Alberta; Stony Plain, Alta.), second Selena Sturmay (Alberta; Leduc, Alta.), first Jessica Iles (Alberta; The Pas, Man.) and fifth Paige Papley (Alberta; Beaumont, Alta.) clinched a playoff spot with a thrilling 9-8 win over the host Russian team in the morning draw in front of a loud and pro-Russian crowd. Canada had to overcome an 8-6 deficit by scoring a deuce in the ninth and then stole the crucial point in the tenth to capture their fifth win and second consecutive victory in a row of this Universiade.
Streifel stated, “It was a huge day for us and really exciting. We knew this morning’s game against Russia would have lots of energy and we turned that loud noise into positive energy for us. We used that momentum of winning into tonight’s game against Italy.”
In the second match, Canada took advantage of a miss in the second end by Italy to draw for two and take their first lead of the match. Then it was a battle of single points from the third to the fifth end break as it was tied at three. After the break, the Canadians set-up a good end and stole a point in the sixth for their third lead of the match and then another two stolen points in the seventh. Italy did not go away and forced an extra end with three single points. Streifel did not have to throw her last rock in the 11th as Italy came up heavy with their last draw.
“Italy came out with not a lot to lose. We got caught, unfortunately, with some picks but we stayed calmed and stayed with it and we were comfortable in playing a close game,” said Streifel of the battle with the Italians.
In addition, in the six wins in Russia, Canada has scored two or more points in 16 different ends.
Canada will now face the Republic of Korea (5-2) on Friday, March 8 at 2 a.m. ET (2 p.m. local time) in the ninth and final match of round robin. Canada has now already qualified for the playoffs
Women’s Curling Results (Canada vs. Russia)
Women’s Curling Results (Canada vs. Italy)
Men’s Curling
This what not the result the Canadian men’s curling team (4-3) made up of skip Karsten Sturmay (Alberta; Leduc, Alta.), third Tristan Steinke (Alberta; Dawson Creek, B.C.), second Christopher Kennedy (Alberta; Red Deer, Alta.) and lead Glenn Venance (Alberta; Kitscoty, Alta.) was looking for as they were poised to clinch a playoff spot. Canada suffered a 10-4 loss to the Czech Republic (4-3) during the afternoon draw.
It was a tough start to this match as the Czech scored two in the first and followed up with singles in the second and fourth before Canada finally found the score sheet in the fifth with a three-ender to close the gap to 4-3 at the break. Afterwards, the Czech Republic responded with their own three in the six end, and then after Canada score one in the seventh, and another three in the eight for early hand shakes.
Sturmay talked about today and tomorrow, “Obviously not the result we were hoping for. But at the end of the day we have two games left in the round robin. A win tomorrow puts us in a really good spot and looking forward to a new day. We have had a pretty good run so far in the round robin and looking forward to clinching one more win tomorrow at least and securing a playoff spot.”
Canada will now face China (1-6) on Thursday, March 7 at 9 p.m. ET (9 a.m. local time) and will play against Norway (4-3) on Friday, March 8 at 7 a.m. ET (7 p.m. local time) in the eighth plus ninth and final matches of round robin.
Follow Team Canada on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @USPORTSIntl and use #uCAN