Curling Provincials Start On Wednesday

The Telus U21 Provincial Curling Championships are just days away from getting started.

On January 1, 32 of the best teams from around the province will be in Dauphin chasing a title on the men's and women's side.

When it comes to Parkland teams, Darnell Duff will be featuring a few more beginning on Monday leading up to Wednesday.

Games will be played inside of Credit Union Place and the Dauphin Curling Club.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Dec 29, 2019 - 12:19 pm

The Johnston & Company Parkland Junior Curling Tour came to a close earlier this month and a Dauphin foursome took home the title. Team Grandview Pharmacy skipped by Anya Jackson took home the title.

They took on Minitonas' Presley Sagert and her foursome in the final and Jackson's team won 6-5. Sagert's foursome had the hammer in the final end and the game was tied, but Jackson and Team Grandview Pharmacy found a way to steal a point for the victory.

"That felt really good. I've been playing in the league for the past three years," said Jackson. "It was nice to play another really good time that we've played a lot and it was great that we pulled through."

"It was a really close battle. Stealing that point in the last end was big for us," she added.

Jackson, Sawyer Elliot, Josie Sallows, and Paige Kabel will now stay right in the Parkland for yet another big event. The team is set to take part in the Telus Junior Men's and Women's Provincial Championships that begin on New Years Day inside of Credit Union Place and the Dauphin Curling Club.

They beat Team Meyn at a qualifier earlier this month to earn their spot.

"It's really exciting that this event is in Dauphin, it's amazing that it's in my hometown," said Jackson. "It's going to be cool to not only curl against the best local teams, but also the best teams from around the province."

"Also the fact that all of our friends and family can support us right here at home, that's fantastic," she added.

Jackson and her team will kick things off bright and early on January 1. They play Team Grace Beaudry at 8:30 a.m. in the first draw of the event and the game will be played at Credit Union Place. With a Parkland Junior Curling Tour title under their belt, they're hoping to use the confidence they built winning that moving into this event.

"I think we have potential, we're young, but it's really exciting that we're playing in this event," said Jackson. "It's a great way to start the New Year."

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Dec 28, 2019 - 10:00 am

Just hours after being released by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Winston Rose is moving up.

Rose has signed a contract with the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals.

The 26-year-old helped the Bombers win their first title in 29 years last month. He played in all 19 regular season games where he had 58 tackles and nine interceptions, a number that led the league.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Dec 27, 2019 - 2:12 pm

In just a matter of days, the Telus Men's and Women's Junior Curling Provincial Championships will take place inside of the Dauphin Curling Club and Credit Union Place.

So far this season, Dauphin's Lane Prokopowich and her team have dominated the junior scene on the ice. They've won three tournaments, one of which was the Manitoba Junior Curling Tour Championships.

Now, they'll begin their quest for a provincial title on January 1.

"I'm super excited about this, I can't believe it's so close to starting," said Prokopowich. "It's pretty sweet that it lines up so close to Christmas, so yeah, I can't wait and it should be a great time."

The team's success has definitely been well documented this season. They also made the semifinal at a top-notch event in Red Deer earlier this season. However, that doesn't mean the team can take it easy against the best in the province, and they certainly don't plan on doing so.

"I think we have a target on our back, we know we're one of the top teams in the province so it puts some pressure on us, but we like that pressure," continued Prokopowich. "We're going out there and we'll give our best and we'll see what happens."

Prokopowich and the rest of Team Gray-Withers begin their path to the title at 12:15 on January 1 inside of Credit Union Place against fellow Parkland team, Presley Sagert. They will play seven round-robin games in all.

The round-robin runs through Saturday afternoon and then if need be tie-breakers will take centre ice leading up to the provincial final on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. at Credit Union Place.

"We are definitely pretty confident as a team going into this event," concluded Prokopowich. "With that said, we know it's not going to be easy. We're going up against the best teams in the province and we know that everyone wants it. We have to play our best."

Don't forget to pick up your tickets for the event. A week pass good for every draw is just $50 and you can pick them up at the front desk inside of the Dauphin Rec Complex.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Dec 27, 2019 - 2:00 pm

It's the holiday season and that means many people are spending the time with their loved ones. With it being December 27, it also means that in just a few day's time, the best junior men's and women's curling teams will be coming to Dauphin for the Telus Provincial Championships.

The tournament features lots of local talent on both the men's and women's side. On the women's side is where you'll find a Parkland duo that has been playing years together. Stacy Sime and Rebecca Sahulka will play on Team McCannell when the event begins on January 1 inside of Credit Union Place and the Dauphin Curling Club.

After dropping their first game at a qualifier earlier this month in Swan River, the foursome caught fire in their second to earn a spot. They scored three points in the first and another three in the third as they went up 6-0 and they would end up winning, 9-1.

Rebecca is from Winnipegosis and Stacy is from Dauphin.

"To be able to play in Dauphin is super exciting, it's so close to home," said Sahulka. "Getting the chance to play in Credit Union Place is going to be phenomenal. We want to do well in front of our friends and family."

The foursome had a very strong showing at the Sun Life Financial Junior Invitational earlier this season. They finished second on the consolation side. That event features many of the best teams from across the province just as this event in Dauphin will.

With that success in the past, Rebecca is looking forward to creating more success.

"We're going into the event to try our best and we want to improve on some of the success that we've had this season already," added Sahulka. "I think our team can do some damage this year, we're coming together pretty well. We're pretty excited to play against some teams that we haven't before."

Stay tuned throughout the rest of the week and during the event as Darnell Duff provides you with everything you want and need to know.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Dec 27, 2019 - 9:40 am

The 2019 Canola Growers Junior Provincial Championships were dominated by Team Zacharias which featured Dauphin's, Lauryn Kuzyk.

The team finished the tournament 9-1 and they ended up winning a provincial title as they beat Team Walter, 8-2 in the finals. In eight of their games, they scored at least seven points and they hit the double-digit mark on three different occasions.

The entire team may not be back for the Telus Junior Women's Provincial Championships that begin on January 1, but Lauryn is.

Lauryn is now playing on Team Walter, the team they beat last year in the final. At last year's event, Team Walter was the only foursome that went 7-0 in the round-robin.

"I'm very excited to take part, it's going to be very exciting to do this in my hometown,' said Kuzyk. "I'm so happy that my family will be able to take part in this. Some of them are volunteering and I'm just really excited that I get to spend an extra week with them."

This team has already had success this season. Back in October, they won the Manitoba Curling Tour Classic women's bonspiel. Some of Lauryn's team from last year will also be taking part in the event including Mackenzie Zacharias who is known as one of the best junior women's skips in the province.

"We have a lot of experience on our side going into this event, we just have to play as we have all season," continued Kuzyk.

Lauryn will throw second rocks for Team Walter which is a change from last year when she was third. The fact is, Lauryn is the defending champion and now she's looking to repeat.

"I definitely feel the pressure of being the reigning champion, but also being in my hometown," continued Kuzyk.

The tournament is from January 1-5 and it will be played inside of Credit Union Place and the Dauphin Curling Club. You can get your week pass for just $50 at the front desk at the Parkland Rec Complex.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Dec 26, 2019 - 2:00 pm

Keaton Ziprick certainly brought his best stuff to the rink last weekend.

Playing with the U18 Rangers, Ziprick helped the team score two upsets.

On Friday, Ziprick made 46 saves as the Rangers beat Central Plains, 3-1.

He followed that up with another outstanding performance on Saturday.

Against the second place Yellowhead Chiefs, Ziprick went 36-for-37 and he made another five saves in the shootout in a 2-1 win.

Parkland is just one point behind Interlake for the final playoff spot.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Dec 26, 2019 - 12:00 pm

In less than one week, the top junior men's and women's curlers in the province will invade Credit Union Place and the Dauphin Curling Club for the Telus Junior Men's and Women's Provincial Championships.

On the women's side, a stacked field is expected and that includes Minitonas' Presley Sagert and her foursome. Presley, Eden Betcher, Bryn Zamzow, and Madison Sagert earned one of the four West 1 region spots for the event.

16 teams in all on the women's side will battle for a spot in the nationals.

"We're really excited to compete as a team in the provincials again," said Sagert. "There are just great teams in the competition and it feels great to be amongst them."

"It's going to be so cool to play close to our hometown in our home region," she added. "Dauphin has such a fantastic facility. It's also going to be neat to see the hockey rink transitioned to a curling rink."

Sagert and her team had a pretty solid showing at this same event last year. They went 3-4 which placed them in third in their pool.

"We're hoping to better our record this year and making the playoffs would mean a ton to us," continued Sagert. "And, I feel if we play to the best of our abilities, we have that chance."

On top of last year's success, Sagert and her team have been solid this season as well. They finished in second place in the Johnston and Company Parkland Junior Curling Tour. They lost a close game against Anya Jackson in the final.

Prior to the playoffs, the team lost just one game so they finished the tour with a 7-2 record overall.

"It's always fun to play in that league and going to the finals with just one loss felt great," said Sagert. "We struggled in the final against Anya Jackson, but they played very well against us."

Starting strong when the provincials begin next week will certainly benefit Sagert and her foursome. They started last year's event with back-to-back losses. With only playing seven round-robin games, it's tough to rebound after a less than desired start.

Now with just a few days more to prepare, the team based out of the Swan River Curling Club will be coming to Dauphin ready to go.

"We've been practicing a lot and we also play on Tuesday nights in Swan River," concluded Sagert.

For spectators, a week pass is just $50 by heading to the front desk at the Dauphin Rec Complex.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Dec 26, 2019 - 10:00 am

Lawson Yates made some noise last year at the Canola Growers Junior Provincial Curling Championships with Team Walter. They made the 1vs2 page playoff game before they dropped two straight games.

This year, it's the Telus Junior Provincial Championships and Lawson is ready for one more chance to win a title. The Dauphinite is playing lead this season on Team Walter. Playing third on the team will be Thomas Dunlop and Zach Wasylik will be the second.

Draw one of the quick five-day tournament will be next Wednesday inside of Credit Union Place and the Dauphin Curling Club.

"Playing in my hometown of Dauphin, you really can't get any better than that," said Yates. "We know that everyone in this tournament has a good chance, it's all going to come down to who plays better come the weekend."

"We're just hoping to get a couple of wins under our belt early and learning the ice quickly is always important," he added.

JT Ryan and his team won the title last year. He is not eligible to take part this year, but the finalist of last year is as Jordon McDonald and his team is back. The field also includes the Manitoba Junior Curling Tour Champions, Team Jordon Johnson and Team Jack Hykaway. Hykaway's team includes Liam Tod who played with Lawson last year on Team Walter.

All in all, a top-notch few days are expected and Lawson and the team are looking forward to giving it their best so they're the last team standing.

"I'm confident that we're going to be contenders," said Yates. "I would love the opportunity to represent Manitoba at the nationals, so we'll see how the week goes."

Because of his age, this is Lawson's final year as a junior curler. In fact, the entire Walter rink is entering their final junior provincial championships.

"Playing in my last junior provincials in my hometown, that's something special. It's going to be a great event," concluded Yates. "We all know what's at stake starting next week. We're practicing all the time and we'll be ready when it's time to go."

Don't forget to get your week pass so you can catch Lawson and the entire event live in person at Credit Union Place and the Dauphin Curling Club. It's just $50 and you can get them at the front desk at the Dauphin Rec Complex.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Dec 25, 2019 - 10:00 am

Another great week from Grady Hobbs earned him some recognition from the MJHL.

The Dauphin Kings forward was named a Star of the Week. He had five points last week.

With the Christmas break upon us, Hobbs leads the league with 51 points.

He was also just recently recognized for playing more than 200 games with Dauphin.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Dec 25, 2019 - 3:00 pm

For the past few years, McCreary's Jaycee Terrick has taken the province by storm. Playing on Team Emma Jensen, the foursome advanced to the national championships the past two seasons after they won back-to-back provincial titles.

In that time, Jaycee also brought home a national title. Terrick team up with Braden Fleischhacker to win a mixed doubles gold medal at the U18 nationals back in 2018.

Now, Jaycee is playing on a different team and she's getting all prepared for another big event. Playing on Team Lukowich who is based out of Winnipeg, Terrick and the team will play in the Telus Junior Men's and Women's Curling Provincial Championships that begin on January 1.

The foursome scored one in the eighth end on December 6 to earn their spot in an 8-7 win against Team Ehnes.

"It's pretty exciting. All of my family and friends will be able to watch and that's going to be an amazing feeling," said Terrick. "Not everyone from a small town gets to take part in a provincial championship so close to home, so I can't wait to get things going."

Terrick and her team which also includes Gracey Gulak will be underdogs for the event. They'll be going up against the likes of Dauphin's Lauryn Kuzyk who won the title last year and Lane Prokopowich and her team who have had a ton of success this season.

Those are just a couple of the teams that Terrick and the foursome will have to get past, but there will be 13 other teams that are searching, for one thing, a provincial title.

"We'll go out and give it our best, we're not putting too much pressure on ourselves," continued Terrick. "It's going to be an exciting week and we know we have the capability to compete. We'll see how things go."

"Even though we're the underdogs, anyone can win," she added. "Every game is different and it just depends on who is playing well in that particular game."

Just like it will be for many in the Parkland that get to play in this event, being so close to home is a comforting feeling for the national gold medalist.