Carter Skevington ‘rocks the line’ to cash in on playoff upgrade

St. Mary’s Warrior sweeper Brayden Busuttil (right) sneaks a glance as he and Killean Coghlan sweep a rock toward the house. (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Post Correspondent

There was a lot on the line with Woodstock St. Mary’s Warriors skip Carter Skevington’s last rock of the TVRA South East boys’ curling regular season on Feb. 5 at the Woodstock Curling Centre (WCC).

Trailing 4-0 after three ends, the Warriors battled back with a three-point fourth, trading singles through the fifth and sixth and adding a steal in the seventh to tie the game at five, giving themselves a chance heading home.

St. Thomas Parkside skip Nate VanDuynhoven executed a beautiful draw with his first stone of the eighth and final end, putting the pressure on Skevington with shot rock at the lower edge of the four-foot circle.

The game’s final two rocks had implications well beyond this game. With a win, Parkside would lock up the fourth and final playoff position, while conversely, a victory would elevate the Warriors into first or second place, a loss leaves them in third. Under the league’s page playoff system, first and second meet with the winner advancing to the final. The loser of this game plays the winner between third and fourth place, with the winner of that contest advancing to the final.

Coming out of the hack with an out-turn, Skevington’s line and weight were both good, sweepers Brayden Busuttil and Killean Coughlan doing their part, as called by vice Sebastian Lagos. Skevington’s final stone finished at the top edge of the four-foot circle, in a position difficult to remove without affecting what previously was shot rock.

“We needed something hard to hit and closer than him,” said Skevington.

VanDuynhoven still had the hammer, but his takeout attempt eased narrowly past, St. Mary’s coach Richard Murphy restraining himself from leaping into the air with a fist-pump with considerable difficulty, following a steal of one and crucial 6-5 victory.

“It was with great difficulty I didn’t jump through the window and help with the game,” Murphy admitted with a laugh, a mentor who it is safe to say, gets into the games.

“I saw you were like pacing back and forth,” interjected Busuttil.

“During WOSSAA, it’s so much worse,” Lagos smiled.

The Warriors’ post-season begins Wednesday, February 12th at the WCC against the Aylmer East Elgin Eagles, who St. Mary’s tied 5-5 during the regular campaign. Three of four Warriors are returnees from last year’s OFSAA-bound squad, again setting their sights on an extended playoff run.

It will not be easy, given the competitive balance both at the top of the TVRA South East this season, and beyond at WOSSAA. However, tense games like the regular-season finale requiring the Warriors play their best are good preparation believes Lagos.

“The harder it gets, the more it prepares us for the next game.”

Woodstock CI (WCI) hosts either Parkside or Ingersoll DCI in the other boys’ playoff-opening game.

The WCI Red Devil girls finished their regular season undefeated with a 9-1 win over Woodstock Huron Park Huskies, also at the WCC Feb. 5, and will play the Ingersoll DCI Blue Bombers in their first-versus-second playoff opener. The Huskies hung with the Red Devils through four ends before WCI opened up the game with fifth and sixth end steals of four and three respectively.

“We’re happy to be in this position,” said skip Alexis Schaeffer. “We know WOSSAA will give us a challenge, but we’ll fight for it.”

While WCI Schaeffer remains focussed on getting an OFSAA sweater, Huron Park is pleased to be gaining experience and enjoying themselves following a recruiting effort by co-coach Anastasia Panagos resulted in a Huskies return to the sport after several years off.

“They’ve come a long way,” said co-coach Carlos Gregorio, noting Wednesday’s outcome - being competitive for a majority of the game, before giving up a big end or two, was not unusual.

Their original equipment was rescued from a basement storage room at Huron Park said skip Raelyn Rennie, upgraded courtesy of coach Carlos. A Huskies swimmer, field hockey and rugby player, she has enjoyed learning a new sport.

“It’s very different,” Rennie assessed, compared to rugby and field hockey, more relaxed and fun. “And a lot more thinking, especially as the skip.”

The Huskies’ return was highlighted by a 6-1 victory over the Tillsonburg Gemini, but regardless of outcome, enjoyable time spent hanging out with friends after class.

“It’s not something I think I would have done if I hadn’t tried it in high school,” Rennie summed up. “And I’m really glad I did.”

TVRA South East Boys Curling

Wednesday, Feb. 15

St. Mary’s 6, Parkside 5

Wednesday, Jan. 15

WCI 15, Tillsonburg Glendale 1

Ingersoll DCI 1, St. Thomas Central Elgin 0

TVRA South East Girls Curling

Wednesday, Feb. 5

Woodstock CI 9, Huron Park 1

St. Thomas Parkside 1, St. Mary’s 0

Wednesday, Jan. 15

Ingersoll DCI 6, Huron Park 3

WCI 11, Glendale 1

Monday, Jan. 13

Ingersoll DCI 1, St. Thomas Central Elgin 0