By SooToday Staff
SooToday.com
Sunday, November 01, 2009

NEWS RELEASE

NORTHERN ONTARIO CURLING ASSOCIATION

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The Dominion Curling Club Provincial Champions declared

Twelve Men’s and Women’s teams battled it out at the Copper Cliff Curling Club October 30 to November 1, 2009 for the opportunity to represent Northern Ontario at The Dominion Curling Club National Championships at the St. George’s Golf & Country Club in Etobicoke November 24 to 29, 2009.

The field in Copper Cliff featured six men’s teams and six women’s club champion teams representing all regions from across Northern Ontario.

The Patti McKnight rink (Joanne Heasman, Heidi St. Onge, Tina Bedard) became the first women’s champions in this inaugural event, while the Aaron Asselstine rink (Anthony Bergamo, Brendan Berbenuik, Dave Stasiuk) from the Port Arthur Curling Club claimed the men’s title.

At the completion of round robin play, a three way tie for second place occurred in the women’s event. The Stephanie Sammon rink from Tarentorus Sports Club beat the Karen Saarimaki rink from the Geraldton Curling Club in the first tiebreaker, and then had to face the Annie Macsemchuk rink from the Kakabeka Falls Curling Club. Mascemchuk prevailed and then went on to play the McKnight rink in the final event which ended in a 7-3 victory for McKnight.

Other teams representing Northern Ontario were the Kris Sinclair rink from the Fort Frances CC, and the Brenda Johnston rink from the Idylwylde Golf and CC.

In the men’s event only one tiebreaker for the second place spot was required. The Asselstine rink prevailed over the Gino Pasqua rink from Soo Curlers Association to go on to the final game against the Bob Hardy rink from the Iroquois Falls CC. The game began with the teams exchanging points until Asselstine took the lead in the 6th end to take the title with a 7-3 victory.

The other teams on the men’s side were the Arlo Jewell rink from the Atikokan CC, the Dave Barker rink from the Geraldton CC, and the Lloyd Bigras rink from the Sudbury CC.

The Dominion Curling Club NOCA Provincials was exciting to the end. All teams experienced great competition and a fun atmosphere while spectators were treated to spectacular games between club curling teams.

For full results from the Northern Ontario Senior Provincial Championship visit www.curlnoca.ca or
www.playdowns.com.

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