ACAC Curling Preview
by ACAC Sports Writer Curtis J. Phillips
Of the eight schools participating in the 2017-2018 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) curling campaign, only two – NAIT Ooks and Red Deer College Kings/Queens – have all three teams qualifying for the postseason with their men's, women's and mixed sides ready to sweep at the historic Rose City Curling Club in Camrose, Alberta.
"We have nine sheets of ice and in 2011 the (Rose City Curling Club) celebrated 100 years," said University of Alberta Augustana Vikings curling head coach Roger Galenza, the host of the 2017-2018 ACAC Curling Provincial Championships to be held February 16-18, 2018.
"The ice is excellent as Don Miller has been our ice maker for 33 years. The ice is fast and has some curl to it and is very consistent."
Galenza has his Vikings men's curling team of Andrew Klassen, Austin Lavallee, Colton Simard and Aidan Anderson representing the school.
"They look OK but they came in the backdoor into the conference finals. They haven't peaked to their capability and they are certainly better than they have showed."
Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder comes in tied with Red Deer Kings with the best record in men's team at eight wins and two losses.
Red Deer had to make a replacement after the ACAC Fall Regional, due to the fact that 4th year lead Shayne Copeland, "broke his arm in January. He was walking from college to residence and he slipped on the ice," said Red Deer head coach Brad Hamilton.
Replacing Copeland, "Who has a small chance of making it back for nationals (March 24-28, 2018 in Leduc)" is Jordan Smith.
Rounding out the Kings team is Carter Snethun at third; Andrew Jones at second with Austin Kelts-Larsen at skip.
"All of the (ACAC men) teams look pretty good. I know our goal is gold and if that were not to happen, than at least a silver or bronze.
"By the time you get to the top four teams, it is close and whoever plays well or likes the ice better or deals with the nerves best...will win that weekend."
Thunder coach Dylan Theroux is confident that his team will be up to par come ACAC provincials.
"After the (Fall Regional three wins two losses) my boys took some extra time in their practice and training and went 5-0 at the Winter Regional, " said Theroux.
"Red Deer is our biggest opposition. The coaching staff is excellent and their athletes just want to go out there and perform."
Of his own team's strengths, Theroux commented: "The backend has a lot of experience. My skip Evan Van Amsterdam and third Tyler Van Amsterdam have been curling for years and years and years. They have been to Junior Provincials and my skip has one more year left and he is an outstanding athlete.
"Our second Gregory Crawford and lead Josh Buchholtz, want to get out there and compete and keep up with the other guys. This is the first time for Josh curling and he was out for four or five practices and he is an unbelievable athlete who has come out and performed for us."
In women's ACAC curling the Thunder has an impressive 10-2 performance.
"My women's side are the team to beat at provincials," predicted Theroux, of the unit comprised of skip Veronica Maschmeyer, third Taylore Maschmeyer, second Jessica Panchyshyn, lead Madysan Theroux along with spare Melissa Palsitt.
"They are experienced and connect really well and have good relationships out on the ice. They have spent a lot of time practicing and are in leagues and bonspiels outside the school. They just love the game and it is a joy to watch them perform."
In mixed team competition it is the NAIT Ooks which are favoured with an 8-2 showing.
The only two schools that failed to make it past the two regular season spiels are Lakeland College Rustlers and Olds College Broncos.
"Very frustrated. This has been one of the toughest years I have had," said Lakeland head coach Dusty Makichuk. "We did not perform well. We struggled as a group but we have grown from it as well.
"It is one of those life lessons, we have to accept it and keep going. We are still going forward and no one is hanging their heads."