RECAP: Day 1 action from the 2024 AUS Curling Championships

By Thomas Becker

Montague, PE—Day 1 saw the UPEI Panthers and defending Dalhousie Tigers go 2-0 on the women's side, while the Saint Mary's Huskies captured two wins in the men's division.

DRAW 1

Women's 

DAL vs. SMU 

Final Score: 7-3 Dalhousie (7 Ends)

The Dalhousie Tigers opened their tournament with a 7-3 win over the Saint Mary's Huskies. The Tigers (1-0) got off to a great start scoring two in the first end before the Huskies (0-1) responded with a point in the second. After a scoreless third, Dalhousie began to pull away with back-to-back strong ends where they scored two and one point, respectively, to make it 5-1.  After Saint Mary's scored two in the sixth end, Dalhousie countered with two in the seventh. At that point, the Huskies conceded the match.

MUN vs. UNB

Final Score: 8-3 UNB (7 Ends)

After a slow start, the UNB Reds scored eight unanswered points to take their opening match against the Memorial Sea-Hawks 8-3. The Sea-Hawks (0-1) scored a point in the first three ends before the Reds took over the game. The Reds (1-0) scored three in the fourth to tie it and then stole two in the sixth and three more in the seventh to seal the win.

Mt. A vs. UPEI

Final Score: 6-2 Panthers (7 Ends)

The host UPEI Panthers defeated the Mount Allison Mounties 6-2 in their first match of the tournament. The Panthers (1-0) distanced themselves with a two-point third end to make it 3-1. UPEI would steal a point in the next two ends to extend their lead to 5-1. Down 5-2 in the seventh end, Mount Allison (0-1) conceded after the Panthers scored their sixth point of the morning.

Men's

DAL vs. UNB

Final Score: 7-2 UNB (6 Ends)

In the first men's game of the tournament, the UNB Reds cruised to a 7-2 win over the defending champion Dalhousie Tigers. The Tigers (0-1) were feeling good about themselves after opening up a 2-0 lead through two ends, but the Reds (1-0) quickly dashed their hopes with a huge third end that saw them storm in front 3-2. UNB would steal a point in the fourth and fifth before slamming the door shut with two more points in the sixth. The Tigers conceded before a stone was thrown in the seventh.

Women's

St. FX vs. UPEI

Final Score: 5-4 UPEI 

The UPEI Panthers narrowly escaped with a win in their second match, as they defeated the St. FX X-Women 5-4. After the two teams traded points in the first two ends, the Panthers (2-0) put up two in the third to pull ahead 3-1. The X-Women (0-1) responded with two points in the fifth end to even the score. The difference came in the sixth end when UPEI scored two, while the St. FX mustered just one in the following end. With the hammer on their side in the eighth end, the Panthers' skip cleared the house in her final shot to secure the win. 

Mt. A vs. SMU

Final Score: 9-1 Mount Allison (6 Ends)

The Mount Allison Mounties rebounded in big way after their morning loss to UPEI by defeating the Saint Mary's Huskies 9-1. The Mounties (1-1) took control of the game from the onset, scoring three in the first end. After the Huskies (0-2) scored in the second, it was all Mount Allison. The Mounties score one in the fourth and stole two in the fourth, one in the fifth, and two more in the sixth, as they cruised to a 9-1 win. 

DAL vs. UNB

Final Score: 8-1 Dalhousie (6 Ends)

The Dalhousie Tigers closed their Day 1 with a convincing 8-1 win over the UNB Reds. The Tigers (2-0) scored five points in the first three ends to bury the Reds (1-1) early. The Reds got one back in the fourth, but the Tigers closed it out with two points in the fifth and another in the sixth.

Men's

SMU vs. St. FX 

Final Score: 5-4 Saint Mary's

The Saint Mary's Huskies scored three points in the final two ends in a comeback win over the St. FX X-Men. Through three ends, both teams were knotted up at two. The X-Men (0-1) took the lead in the fourth end on a single point before adding another in the sixth. Down one heading into eighth end, the Huskies (1-0) needed a big shot and they delivered in the end, scoring two to stun the X-Men 5-4.

DRAW 3

Women's

MUN vs. St. FX

Final Score: 5-3 Memorial (7 Ends)

The Memorial Sea-Hawks secured their first win of the tournament thanks to a three-point sixth end that saw them storm in front 5-2. The X-Women (0-2) carried a 2-1 lead into the fourth end where the Sea-Hawks (1-1) tied it on a single point. The turning point for Memorial came in the sixth end when they stole three critical points in their path to a win.

Men's

DAL vs. St. FX

Final Score: 7-1 Dalhousie (6 Ends)

After starting the day with a loss, the Dalhousie Tigers responded with lopsided 7-1 win over the St. FX X-Men. The Tigers (1-1) opened the game with four points through the first three ends. The X-Men (0-2) got a point back in the fourth end, but the Tigers hit back with a point in the fifth and two in the sixth to finish them off 7-1. 

SMU vs. UNB

Final Score: 7-5 Saint Mary's

The UNB Reds opened the scoring with two points in the second end only to be matched by the Saint Mary's Huskies in the following end. That was just the start for the Huskies (2-0), who stole four points in the next three ends to take a commanding 6-2 lead. However, the Reds (1-1) responded with three points in the seventh end to make this one interesting. But it wasn't enough as Saint Mary's closed out the 7-5 win with a point in the eighth.

For complete scores and standings click HERE.

Photo Credit: Mike Needham