Canada’s wheelchair curling team, featuring the Peterborough Curling Club’s Jon Thurston of Dunsford, improved to 4-1 on Monday at the 2023 World Wheelchair Curling Championship in Richmond, B.C.
Canada lost its opening round match 9-4 in extra ends on Saturday afternoon to the two-time Paralympic gold medallists from China and then rebounded with three straight wins.
The Canadians bounced back by cruising to an 8-2 victory over the Czech Republic in just six ends Saturday night. Canada scored three in the first end and had a steal of three more in the fourth to jump ahead 7-1.
Canada defeated the United States, skipped by Stephen Emt of Hebron, Conn., 6-4 on Sunday afternoon to improve to 2-1.
Skip Mark Ideson of London, Ont. felt patience was the key to beating the Americans (2-2).
“The U.S. hit very well and they made a few nice hit and rolls against us. You can’t let that get to you. We stick to the plan and good things happen,” said Ideson, who is backed by fourth Thurston, third Ina Forrest of Spallumcheen, B.C., second Gil Dash of Wolseley, Sask., fifth Marie Wright of Moose Jaw, Sask., team coach Mick Lizmore and team leader Kyle Paquette.
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Thurston made some key shots including drawing for two in the fourth end to take a 4-1 lead and again in the seventh to go up 6-3.
“I was able to make a couple (of good shots), Mark called a great game that kept it open for us that gave us opportunities to score when we needed to,” said Thurston.
“It’s just about continuing to learn as the week goes on so that we can peak for the playoffs. Just really digging in to learn the ice and rocks and continuing to be consistent with how we throw it.”
After the tough loss to China in the opening draw Saturday afternoon, Canada improved to 3-1 to move into a three-way tie for second with South Korea and Norway by edging Latvia 7-6 on Sunday night and beat Japan (2-3) 7-4 on Monday afternoon to improve to 4-1.
Feature games are being streamed live on CBC’s YouTube channel while other games are being live streamed internationally with a static camera on Curl B.C.’s YouTube channel.
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