March 24-28 saw the Niagara Knights men's and women's curling teams travel to Leduc, Alberta for the 2018 CCAA Curling Championships. The event saw the OCAA gold medal winning women's team finish in 5th place (4-3), while the OCAA bronze medal winning men's side (2-5) finished in seventh. Neither team managed to advance beyond round robin play.
On the women's side the Knights consist of skip Chelsea Brandwood (Beamsville), vice Courtney Smith (St. Catharines), second Renee Boyce (St. Catharines), lead Brooke Fairbanks (Thorold), and lead Andrea Miettinen (Welland).
Day one saw the team win their first two games over the Red Deer Queens and eventual Champion Fanshawe Falcons. The Knights stood in first place in the standings after the first day and appeared poised for a run at the top of the podium.
"Day two was a much tougher day for us" said Knights assistant coach Lorelle Weavers. Weavers, who led the Knights women's side for the majority of the season continued "We were facing new teams, in a new arena, and the girls really struggled to read the ice and did not play up to the best of our abilities."
The Knights took a pair of losses on the day to the MacEwan Griffins and Camosun Chargers.
Day three saw the team turn their fortunes around completely, notching a pair of victories over the Holland Hurricanes and Fleming Knights.
Day four saw the team face off against the NAIT Ooks. A win would see Niagara advance to the medal round, while a loss would see the two teams finish tied in the standings, with NAIT holding the tie-breaker.
"The girls looked strong coming out with a solid two in the first end" continued Weavers. "However, NAIT picked up their game from there and followed the strong play of their vice all the way to the end of the game."
The Knights trailed 7-6 heading into the 10th and final end, but with the hammer could only secure a single. NAIT, with the hammer in the extra end managed to score the single point to secure the hard fought 8-7 victory and advance to the medal round. NAIT would eventually win the Bronze medal, while Camosun picked up the silver, and Fanshawe the gold.
On the men's side the team consists of skip Sam Steep (Seaforth), vice Tyler Marshall (McDougall), second Ethan Doig (Egmondville), and lead David Cressman (Cobourg).
The Knights secured victories over Concordia and Augustana, but were defeated by NAIT, Douglas, Fanshawe, Sault, and Red Deer.
"Although we come back disappointed in missing the playoffs, we share an awe and agreement that it was an incredible experience to be apart of such a massive event" said Niagara Knights curling head coach Jordan Thin. Thin continued, "one that the returning 4/5's of us desperately want to relive in Fredericton next year."
