Pandas Curling win CW Championship, Bears secure silver
Four days. Nine games. Nine wins for the Pandas.
UofA AthleticsThe University of Alberta Pandas did not lose a game at the Canada West Championships.
Playing on home ice at Saville Centre, the Pandas moved through the tournament quietly and methodically. Early draws were handled without much trouble, and by the end of round robin play, Alberta had already separated itself from the field.
Championship Sunday started with a semifinal against the University of Calgary Dinos. It was the closest test Alberta faced all weekend. The game stayed tight through most of the match, with both teams trading single points and waiting for a mistake. Alberta stayed patient, avoided the big miss, and edged out a 5-4 win to move on.
The final against the University of Regina followed later that afternoon. By then, the Pandas looked settled. They built a small lead and protected it, forcing Regina to play aggressively from behind. Alberta closed it out with a 6-2 win and secured the Canada West title in front of a home crowd.
It capped off a perfect tournament.
On the men’s side, the Golden Bears also reached championship Sunday. Alberta earned a 5-3 semifinal win over Regina earlier in the day, which sent them through to the final against Calgary. The Dinos controlled most of that matchup and came away with the title, leaving the Bears with a silver-medal finish.
Even without the win, Alberta’s men did enough across the week to book a spot at the U Sports Championship in Regina during February 17–21. With the entire team earning Second Team All-Stars nods, they will be a tough elimination on the National stage.
For the Pandas, the result adds another conference banner to a growing list. More importantly, it gives incredible optimism for the future success of this young group. This group is comfortable playing at home, and has historically outplayed opponents when it mattered.
Both Alberta teams now turn their attention forward. The conference season is done, Nationals are next.
And for the Pandas, they don’t plan on losing any time soon.
