Canada makes history with perfect preliminary round at Paralympic Games

CORTINA, Italy – Canada concluded an amazing run in the wheelchair curling preliminary round posting nine wins and no losses after defeating the U.S. on Thursday before a loud group of Canadian fans right by their side.

It is the first time since wheelchair curling became an official event in 2006, that a country has gone undefeated in the prelims. The previous best was an 8-1 mark by Russia at its home Games in 2014. Canada defeated the Russians in the final that year for the gold.

‘’It’s something special,’’ said Canadian skip Mark Ideson of London, Ont. ‘’It’s a product of a lot of hard work by the players and the staff.’’

‘’I’m proud with how we showed up every game and we never gave up. There were a few moments we got down, showing some frustration at times, but we stuck with it,’’

Canada and the U.S.  exchanged points through the first four ends and were tied at three. But Canada with hammer scored in the fifth and stole points in the sixth and seventh to take control of the game.

‘’The steal of two in the sixth was a turning point,’’ said lead Collinda Joseph of Stittsville, Ont. ‘’The Americans were very good tonight and put up a really good fight so that steal was huge and we were able to shut them down.’’

Also on the ice were second Ina Forrest of Spallmucheen, B.C., and third Jon Thurston of Dunsford, Ont. Gil Dash of Kipling, Sask., is the fifth player and played lead in two games this week.

Now the slate is now wiped clean heading into the semifinals.

Canada will face South Korea (5–4) on Friday morning at 10 a.m. local time (5 a.m. ET). The other semifinal will see China (7–1) take on Sweden (5–4).

Canada defeated South Korea Thursday morning 6-3 in a match that went down to the last shot.

‘’South Korea is an incredible team, and it won’t be just another game out there,’’ said Ideson. ‘’We’re going to do everything we can to get rest tonight after a quick debrief and be ready to go in the morning.’’

A group of Canadian fans which included the Para snowboard team cheered on the players. The USA-Canada game was on Sheet D alongside the stands where the Canadian fans were gathered.

The Canadian wheelchair curlers regularly acknowledged the support, which only energized the crowd even more.

“The support from friends, family, and the greater Team Canada has been overwhelming,” said Ideson. “It just feels amazing to be part of the entire Paralympic team.”