Stewart Rink Wins Pair On Day One
(FREDERICTON, NB) The host UNB REDS teams went unbeaten on day one of the Bell Atlantic University Sport Curling Championships, at Fredericton's Capital Winter Club.
UNB's Jenna Campbell beat the STFX X-Women 7-2 in the day's opening draw before scoring a 9-8 extra end victory over UPEI in the afternoon draw.
Panthers' skip Rachel MacLean made a perfect shot with last rock in the eighth end to score four and tie the REDS 8-8, but UNB rebounded with a single in the extra end for the win.
"Every game matters and every game is going to be close here so to get the win in the first two games is good for us," said Campbell. "We had a really good handle on the ice and the rocks, and we have confidence in our technical abilities, so I feel like we came out with a lot of confidence today."
On the men's side, UNB's Jamie Stewart opened with a 6-2 morning draw win over UPEI. In the afternoon draw, the REDS scored one in the seventh end and stole a pair in the eighth for a 7-4 win over Dalhousie.
"We came out looking to play well and it's tough having to adjust to the ice at the start of a tournament, but I think we adjusted well and played well today," said UNB third Sean Beland. "We'll keep pushing. One shot at a time and we're never out of any game."
Other men's action saw Memorial build an early 4-0 lead on route to a 7-2 six end win over STFX.
The Mount Allison women won their only game of the day, edging Dal 7-6 while Saint Mary's, Memorial, and STFX all went 1-and-1. UPEI is 0-and-1 and Dalhousie is 0-and-2 heading into the second day of play.
Day two of the championships begins at 9:00am Friday with Draw Three. Draws Four and Five follow at 1:30 and 6:00pm.
Champions will be determined Sunday with winners and runners-up advancing to the U SPORTS Championships, in Regina, February 17-21.
STANDINGS
Men
UNB 2-0
Memorial 1-0
UPEI 0-1
Dalhousie 0-1
STFX 0-1
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB REDS
PHOTOS BY: Fran Harris/for UNB REDS