GUELPH, Ont. – Sitting atop Pool B at the OUA championship after two days, the UOIT men's curling team is looking strong as they head into their final day of round-robin action.
 
Opening with wins over Algoma and Guelph on Thursday, the Ridgebacks closest game of the weekend came Friday against Carleton.
 
After picking up two with hammer to start the game, UOIT allowed the first of two three-enders for the Ravens.
 
In the third end the Ridgebacks were forced to take one with hammer before stealing two in the fourth to take a 5-3 lead. The Ravens next three-ender came in the fifth as Carleton went ahead 6-5 in the game.
 
UOIT took a 7-6 lead in the sixth before forcing the Ravens to take one in the seventh to tie it 7-7.
 
The Ridgebacks controlled the eighth end with a pair of stones biting the button behind cover. Skip Ben Bevan (Whitby, Ont.) only had to throw a guard with his first stone as Carleton was unable to get shot on their last to force UOIT to throw their final rock for the win.
 
With their next game against Toronto, the Ridgebacks and Varsity Blues were playing to see who would be the lone undefeated team remaining in Pool B heading into Saturday play.
 
UOIT started strong with a three-ender, but allowed Toronto to get their deuce with hammer in the second.
 
The Ridgebacks got two back in the third before the teams traded singles in the fourth, fifth and sixth. UOIT led 6-4 heading into the seventh, but a big three would be enough to put them at up 9-4 and improve their record to 4-0 heading into their game against the Western Mustangs on Saturday.
 
The Ridgebacks are now guaranteed a spot in the playoff round, but a win against the Mustangs at noon would solidify a spot in Monday's semifinal.
 
 
Men's Championship Schedule 
Saturday, Feb. 21
12 PM vs. Western
3:30 PM vs. Queen's
 
Sunday, Feb. 22
7 PM – Quarterfinals
 
Monday, Feb. 23
11 AM – Semifinals
3 PM – Bronze/Gold Medal Games
 
Men's Championship Results
Thursday, Feb. 19
7-1 victory over Algoma
7-5 victory over Guelph
 
Friday, Feb. 20
8-7 victory over Carleton
9-4 victory over Toronto