CANORA - The Canora Christmas Bonspiel was held on Dec. 27 and 28, with a total of five teams participating. Local rinks were skipped by: Terry Wilson, Al Palagian, Don Probe and Len Bazarski. The fifth rink was led by Alia O’Neill, and included team members from Springside, Sheho and Yorkton.
Wilson, who is also Canora Curling Club president, said the bonspiel was meant to give everyone an opportunity for some exercise after Christmas with an atmosphere of “fun and family.”
All five rinks played four round robin games of six ends each, one against each team. Cash prizes went to the winners of each game, but no won/loss records or overall order of finish was kept.
One of the most enjoyable games to follow was somewhat similar to Family Feud on ice, with Al Palagian and his sons Jackson and Joey playing against the Terry Wilson foursome, which included his daughters Aubrey and Abby.
The Wilson family got off to a quick start. A pair of outstanding shots from Aubrey, who was playing third, helped them jump out to a 3-0 lead after two ends.
But in the third end, the Palagians seemed to get themselves going. A tricky last-rock takeout by Jackson, who was throwing skip rocks, gave them five big points, and a 5-3 lead.
Jackson came up with a big shot again in the fourth, but this time it was a draw. When he released the shot, Joey said right away, “It’s light,” and started to sweep hard. Like most brothers, the Palagians aren’t afraid to disagree with each other, and Jackson replied right away, “It’s not light, it’s fine.” So Joey stopped sweeping and followed the rock closely until it stopped, right on the button. He then looked up and gave a smile of approval to Jackson.
On the last rock of the end, Terry Wilson attempted to take out the rock on the button, but rolled about a millimetre too far, resulting in a steal of one for the Palagian foursome.
The Palagian rink went on to win the game, but more importantly, there were smiles all over the ice as everyone appeared to be enjoying the friendly competition.
