Curler Muyres headed to Sweden

Prior to this weekend’s Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Leduc, Edmonton’s Laura Crocker and Saskatoon’s Kirk Muyres had only played six games together. Now, as the Canadian champions, the pair will get to add a few more to their total when they rep the red and white at the world championships.

Losing only one match in the round robin, Crocker and Muyres found themselves facing the undefeated Manitoba team of Kadriana Sahaidak and Colton Lott in Sunday afternoon’s final.

The two teams kept it close it the opening ends — each scoring a double — but Crocker and Muyres were able to pull ahead 5-2 at the midway point thanks to a double in the third and a stolen single in the fourth.

The Manitoba duo came back hard. They added a double in the fifth and a triple in the seventh, while holding Crocker and Muyres to a single in the sixth, to take a 7-6 lead heading into the last end.

Sahaidak missed her final shot, leaving Crocker with a chance to score two with a takeout. Crocker capitalized on the opportunity, scoring the two points and propelling her team to an 8-7 victory and the championship title.

Saskatoon’s Chaelynn Kitz and Brayden Stewart also competed at the championships, but were eliminated in the quarter-finals.

World championships are scheduled for April 21-28 in Ostersund, Sweden.

HAWKS, BRUINS UP 2-0 IN SJHL SEMIFINAL SERIES

The Nipawin Hawks and the Estevan Bruins have secured a two-game lead in their respective best-of-seven Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League semifinal series.

Taking on the Humboldt Broncos, the Hawks won 3-2 in double overtime on Friday and followed it up with a 5-3 win on Saturday. Game 3 is scheduled for Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Bruins defeated the Battlefords North Stars 5-3 on Friday and 7-2 on Saturday. The two teams will meet again for Game 3 on Monday.

CAPITALS, CHIEFS TIED IN PJHL FINAL

Splitting the first two games of the Prairie Junior Hockey League final, the Extreme Hockey Regina Capitals and the Delisle Chiefs are tied 1-1 in the best-of-seven series.

Delisle claimed the first victory, defeating the host Capitals 4-1 on Friday, but Regina got some payback on Saturday, winning 5-2 in the Chiefs’ own rink.

Game 3 of the series is scheduled for Tuesday in Regina.