After four matches over two days, only two teams remained Sunday morning for day three of the Curl Moncton qualifier tournament. Both teams were looking to sweep the competition and secure their spot in the 2025 HUPLASO Club Curling Championships in Saint John, N.B., this February.
Moving forward is Team Goodin and Team Leger for the women’s teams and Team Oulette and Team Lahiton, who clinched the win Sunday morning, to represent the men.
“The tournament was really tough because a lot of the teams are really really good and anybody could have come out of this tournament qualifying,” said Damien Lahiton.
“Our team was just sticking together. We’ve been together for quite a few years now, we qualified before. Just not taking anything for granted and focusing on our shots and hope for the best after that.”
Curl Moncton President, Shannon Tatlock said clubs all around New Brunswick send teams to compete in the HUPLASO New Brunswick Club Championship.
“We always see our teams either somewhere near the quarter finals or the finals,” Tatlock said.
“The ladies won the finals last year from Curl Moncton. Our men’s teams are right in the thick of it in the semi-finals. So it’s awesome to have our teams go there and represent us so well and showcase all the great curlers that we have.”
Lahiton said competing in club championships, like the one this weekend, is a huge step forward for the sport. He said it’s nice to win the club qualifier but sharing home ice advantage with the other teams brings unique challenges.
“We play against each other all the time, so they know our tendencies. We know theirs and now it’s really about who’s going to make the shots on the day,” Lahiton said.
Tatlock said Curl Moncton has close to 400 members. They club has five nights of league play and they are trying fun nights on Fridays to help grow the sport in Moncton and attract members.
“Curling doesn’t have to be competitive,” Tatlock said. “It can just be where you come out, socialize for a couple of hours, have a drink with friends after the game and just chat.”
Tatlock said the sport is welcome and inclusive for all ages.
“Last year we had a grandfather, great-grandfather I think he was, who was 91 playing with his 9-year-old granddaughter and that’s the awesome part about curling, you don’t have to be super limber to do it, you can use a stick, you can be young, it’s for everyone.”
The HUPLASO championships take place February 27 to March 2. The next Friday Fun Night at Curl Moncton is scheduled for January 17.
