A statement was made at the Niagara Bonspiel by the defending OCAA champion Mohawk Mountaineers as the men's curling team went 3-0 with all matches ending in the sixth end or earlier.

The day started with a rematch of the 2022 finals between Mohawk and the Humber Hawks. The Mountaineers got off to a fantastic start in the early ends and ultimately won 6-1 after the Hawks shook hands after six ends. 

The same scenario would occur in game two with the Sault Cougars also shaking hands after six, and the Mountaineers coming out on top 8-1.

The bonspiel ended for Mohawk with a 9-0 win over the Fleming Knights, which concluded after the fourth end. 

"The men's team displayed a dominating performance over their opponents by going undefeated," said head coach Betty Calic. "They are building positive momentum towards provincials."

Mohawk's mixed doubles team didn't get the results they were hoping for in their tournament play, but there was enough success to have a positive outlook ahead of the OCAA Championships.

The Mountaineers started the day with a 9-4 win over the host Niagara Knights-1 team followed by a 6-6 draw against the Knights-2. The day would end for the mixed doubles team after a 9-1 loss to the Humber Hawks.

"Not the outcome they (mixed doubles team) would have liked, but they gained valuable insight into bridging some gaps," Calic said. "Their record did not reflect their overall performance."

For the Mohawk men's team Liam Little (Hailburton, ON) led the squad with a shot making percentage of 82 per cent. Jacob Jones (Brantford, ON) was an 81 per cent, Joel Matthews 76 per cent (Waterdown, ON) and Eric Just (Ancaster, ON) was at 73 per cent.

Both Mountaineer teams will now prep over the next few weeks before competing in Welland, ON at the OCAA Championships between Feb. 9-11.