Moose Jaw rink finishes second at inaugural Triples Cup tournament

The style of game might be different, but that didn’t keep a trio of Moose Jaw curlers from still putting together a solid result at the inaugural SaskMilk Under-15 Triples Cup at the Regina Callie during the New Year’s weekend.

The Moose Jaw Curling Centre rink of Kaylee Hogeboom, Dayne Heisler and Abby Hogeboom -- also known as the Ring Leaders -- went unbeaten on their way to the championship final before just falling short and settling for second place.

Triples is a unique format focussed on helping younger players develop their game. At the Under-15 level, teams play three two-end ‘sets’ where each team receives the hammer at each end, and the most points scored after each set are worth two points on the scoreboard. Should teams have the same points after a set, each team picks up one point per end. That all changes in the final two sets with four points on the line, two points each end if things are tied.

Each of the three players also has to play a different position each set, allowing youngsters to hone their skills in throwing, sweeping and calling the game.

The Ring Leaders got things started in style, winning the first two sets and then splitting the third for a 6-2 victory over the Hazy Hackers. A win in the opening set proved to be the difference in a 5-3 win over Lime in their second round-robin game, and the local crew would sweep their way to an 8-0 win over the Ice Cube Trio to lock down top spot in their pool heading into their final preliminary round game.

There, Moose Jaw was once again sharp, rolling to an 8-0 win over The Three Broomsticks to finish the round-robin at 4-0 and earn a bye through the first round of the playoffs.

An abbreviated three-end contest saw the Ring Leaders take a 6-2 win over the White Butte Boys to advance to the championship game and a battle of the unbeatens between themselves and the Cool Shots.

The teams split the first set, but the Shots got on a roll from there, winning the next set to go up 3-1 and finishing things off by winning the next two ends for four points and a 7-1 victory.

The next Triples Cup event is set for Mar. 11-12 in Humboldt, and for more information and to register, visit www.curlsask.ca.