Richmond, B.C. – Ontario went into the finals of The Dominion Curling Club Championship undefeated in both men’s and women’s play, but both teams had to settle for runner-up.  Alberta’s Wade Thurber of the Red Deer Curling Club pulled off a massive upset, beating Ontario’s Greg Balsdon 6-2.  And three sheets over, Manitoba’s Meghan Armit of the Granite Curling Club in Winnipeg took advantage of some key misses by Ontario to beat Jodi McCutcheon of High Park 8-6.

Thurber, supported by third Harvey Kelts, second Rick Hjettaas, and lead Eldon Rabb, knew they were a heavy underdog against Ontario, which had gone 6-0 in the round robin.  But Thurber says they tried some different strategy.  “We decided to junk it up against Greg, and just see what happens.”

Thurber also says the team recognized he had a slow rock, and gave him a different rock to throw last.  “I hogged one in the 3rd (end), and it came up light in the 4th, so we changed it up, and I was okay after that.”

Balsdon struggled with draw weight throughout the game, throwing heavy on two draws in the 1st end to give Alberta a steal of one, coming up light on a draw in the 3rd in the second to allow another steal, and coming up light again in the 5th for another steal to make it 4-1.  Balsdon’s only bright spot was a sensational angle-raise triple-takeout in the 3rd to score one point.

Meanwhile, the women’s final was a see-saw affair, with Manitoba scoring 3 in the 4th  end to go up 5-2, and Ontario bouncing back with a 4-ender in the 5th to take a 6-5 lead.  The game turned for good in the 7th, when McCutcheon had an open hit to score 3, but instead gave up a steal of one.  That four point swing turned out to be the difference for Armit, along with third Nikki Hawrylyshen, second Sarah Lund, and lead Nadine Cabak-Ralph.

Armit, a competitive player who lost a provincial junior semi-final two years ago, says she was most happy for her club teammates.  “Some of the girls have tears in their eyes.  This has been such an amazing week.” Armit’s next game will be her regular Wednesday night club game at the Granite Club.  “I don’t know who we’re playing, but it should be interesting.”