By: Megan Daniels
Reporter

The Mohawk Mountaineers found their rhythm in Sault Ste. Marie to conclude day one of the OCAA Curling Championships. 

The Mountaineers are represented by a men's team and a mixed doubles team.

Round robin play began with the men playing the Confederation Thunder Hawks, who took an early 2-0 lead before the Mountaineers tied it in the third end. The Thunder Hawks would then become overpowering, particularly in the fifth end, en route to their 8-4 win over the Mountaineers. 

"The game was much closer than the score indicates," Mohawk head coach Betty Calic said. "In many ends the Mohawk team were set up to score multiples but the Confederation skip played very well and managed to take the end."

Calic pinpointed the fifth end when the Thunder Hawks stole three points.

"It was a tough battle for us after that as we couldn't get back on track," Calic said.

In their second match of the day the Mohawk men's team took on the Niagara Knights. The Mountaineers jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two ends and tacked on another two in their fourth end to lead 5-1.

However, the Knights would not go away as they tacked on three of their own in the fifth end. Mohawk responded with a point in the sixth and seventh end to win the match 7-4.

"The team came out with resolve and determination," Calic said. "They took control of the game and played well. Each player made key shots when needed, overall a good strong effort."

Over on the mixed doubles bracket, the Mountaineers team featuring Eric Just and Ashley Verhees, were able to start the tournament with a win in their lone match of the day.

Mohawk played the Humber Hawks-2, and it was the latter that got out in front with three points in the first end. The Mountaineers would respond to take a 4-3 lead after three ends.

It remained back and forth as the Hawks took a 5-4 lead in the fourth end, but Mohawk again responded with two in the fifth end before winning the match 8-6.

"It was an extremely good showing for our mixed doubles team," Calic said. "Despite going down in score early, they bounced back, took the lead and never let up."

Through the first day of the OCAA Championships, the Mountaineers men's team is in a four-way tie for second place with a 1-1 record. Mohawk's mixed doubles sit atop their division at 1-0.

Round robin continues on Feb. 19 with the men's team beginning play at 9:30 a.m. versus the Sault Cougars. The men will then play the Humber Hawks at 6:30 p.m.

The mixed doubles team will also begin play at 9:30 a.m. versus the Humber Hawks-1, and then at 6:30 p.m. they will have a rematch against the Humber Hawks-2.

Full results and standings can be found here.