Posted: Mar 14, 2023

PREVIEW: Curling readies for CCAA national tournament

SUDBURY – Humber curling is heading to the CCAA national tournament for the first time since 2020. The previous two tournaments were cancelled due to restrictions and health concerns related the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Storyline

The tournament, jointly hosted by the CCAA and Curling Canada, begins Mar. 15 at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex in Sudbury, Ontario.

New Format

Though the stakes at a national championship are already high, there's an extra incentive in this year's iteration of the championships. Both men's and women's winners of the CCAA and U SPORTS titles will receive a berth at the 2023 PointsBet Invitational from Sept. 26-Oct. 1 at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, Ont., chasing a prize purse in excess of $350,000 in a sudden-death single-knockout format.

Championship History

The Hawks captured double silver at the 2020 tournament in Manitoba. Humber's lone national title came in 2016 when Zack Shurtleff and the Hawks captured the men's title.

Schedule

Both teams will play seven round-robin matches before the semifinals on March 19.

March 15

Women's Team vs. Red Deer, 5 p.m.
Men's Team vs. SAIT, 9 p.m.

March 16

Women's Team vs. SAIT, 8:30 a.m.
Men's Team vs. Augustana, 12:30 p.m.
Women's Team vs. Fanshawe, 4:30 p.m.
Men's Team vs. Fleming, 8:30 p.m.

March 17

Women's Team vs. Augustana, 8:30 a.m.
Men's Team vs. NAIT, 12:30 p.m.
Women's Team vs. Conestoga, 4:30 p.m.
Men's Team vs. Conestoga, 8:30 p.m.

March 18

Men's Team vs. Mohawk, 8:30 a.m.
Women's Team vs. Sault, 12:30 p.m.
Men's Team vs. Sault, 4:30 p.m.
Women's Team vs. Niagara, 8:30 p.m.

March 19

Semifinals, 9:30 a.m.
Medal Games, 2:30 p.m.

At the helm

In his third season as head coach, Sean Turriff has led the program to two CCAA silver medals and ten OCAA medals – including five gold. Turriff has been named the OCAA Curling Coach of the Year in consecutive seasons.