Bluenosers Claim National Mixed Curling Title in Dramatic Final

In a season filled with major curling events across Nova Scotia, the province secured a national title of their own. Owen Purcell’s Halifax-based team, consisting of Christina Black, Adam McEachern, and Jennifer Baxter, triumphed in the final of the 2024 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship, held Saturday in St. Catharines, Ont.

The team clinched the national title in a thrilling 5-4 victory over Saskatchewan’s top-seeded squad, led by Jason Ackerman. The game came down to a nail-biting draw to the eight-foot, where Purcell’s precise shot sealed the win.

A Team Built for Victory

The championship was the culmination of a plan set in motion a year ago. “When we decided to form a mixed team, our goal was to build a squad capable of winning the national title,” said Jennifer Baxter. The Nova Scotians entered the playoff round with an impressive 9-1 record, tied with Saskatchewan for the best record in the tournament.

In the semifinal, Purcell’s team defeated Manitoba’s Ryan Wiebe, setting up a showdown with Saskatchewan in the final. Despite both teams having identical records, Saskatchewan earned the No. 1 seed due to their superior head-to-head performance in the round-robin phase.

"We joked all week that we were the two mixed juggernauts," Purcell said. "We had our eyes set on them, knowing it was going to be a tough battle. We worked hard to steal the hammer early in the game, which we were able to do."

A Strong Start for Nova Scotia

The final was a tense affair from the outset. Nova Scotia made a statement early, stealing a point in the first end. After trading singles, the Bluenosers added another steal in the fourth to take a 3-1 lead at the break.

Saskatchewan, skipped by Ackerman and supported by Amber Holland, Sam Wills, and Colleen Ackerman, fought back. The Saskatchewan team tied the game in the seventh end after being forced to a single, setting up a dramatic final end where Nova Scotia had the hammer.

The Final Shot

As the game came down to the last shot, the pressure was on Purcell to deliver. Baxter reflected, "Owen has made big shots in big moments before, but his hands were shaking on that last one." Despite the nerves, Purcell executed a perfect draw, landing his stone in the back of the four-foot and clinching the win.

A Historic Victory for Nova Scotia

The victory marked Nova Scotia's eighth Canadian Mixed Curling Championship title since 1993, and their first since 2010, when Mark Dacey, Heather Smith, Andrew Gibson, and Jill Mouzar claimed the crown. Saskatchewan, skipped by Shaun Meachem, was the defending champion.

In the bronze medal game, Alberta’s Kurt Balderston defeated Manitoba 9-4. Manitoba’s Ryan Wiebe’s team finished with a 7-2 record, while teams from B.C. (Cody Tanaka) and Quebec (Don Bowser) each ended with 5-5 records.

As there will be no World Mixed Curling Championship in 2025 due to the Olympic qualification schedule, the 2024 national title will serve as a highlight for the Canadian curling community this season.