A curling team made up entirely of Memorial students has made a big impression far from home.

 

Team Thomas enjoyed an amazing week in Japan, a trip they earned when they won the CIS-CCA Championship last March. The trip became even more special when the team won a silver medal at the Karuizawa International Curling Event against some of the top young teams in the world.

According to the Canadian Curling Association (CCA), Memorial's men’s team (representing Canada) "was very impressive this week, and came within an eyelash of winning it all."

 

The CCA reports that after trailing early in the final game against Japan, the men fought back and had the score tied playing the ninth without hammer. However, when skip Colin Thomas came to throw his last rock, he was looking at four opposition counters and had no choice but to play a raise take-out to try to minimize the damage.

 

As it turned out, the raised rock rolled about a foot too far after removing the object rock and the Japanese skip looked to have a relatively straightforward shot for three. Fortunately for Team Canada, however, he ended up jamming Canada's rock on to one of his own at the back of the house and Canada escaped by giving up just a single point.

That left Canada one down with hammer playing the tenth end, and the team managed to set themselves up for two thanks to a terrific run-back double by third Cory Schuh. The potential for two was still there when it came to skip Colin Thomas’ last shot but, unfortunately, he was just heavy on a quiet tap-back attempt. So, the guys ended up scoring one and headed to an extra end.

 

Unfortunately, the Japanese lead made two perfect ticks and Canada could not get a guard established. Canada forced the Japanese skip to draw to the eight foot with his last rock and he succeeded in doing so.

 

All in all, according to the CCA, it was an excellent effort for the young team from Memorial University -- Colin Thomas, Cory Schuh, Chris Ford, Spencer Wicks, Stephen Ryan and coach Jeff Thomas.

 

"They’re a talented young squad," the CCA commented, "who should give Brad Gushue a tussle in future years as they fight for supremacy in their home province of Newfoundland."