Team Northern Ontario outlasts Team Québec in extra-end victory in opener at 2025 Seniors

It took nine ends of closely contested curling to get it done, but Team Northern Ontario’s Al Harnden skipped his team to a 5-4 victory over Team Québec’s Robert Desjardins (0-1; Chicoutimi) in opening-draw action at the 2025 Canadian Senior Curling Championships from the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club. 

The Soo Curlers Association foursome, rounded out by fourth Al Belec, second Duncan Bell, and lead Marc Barrette, controlled the match with tight defence, never letting its opposition score more than a single point in an end. 

The game’s only multi-point end came in the fourth, where Team Northern Ontario cracked a valuable deuce, proving to be the difference maker in the win. 

“We got the rocks in good spots,” said Harnden. “We had them in trouble quite a few times and (Desjardins) made a lot of really good last rocks to keep them in the game.” 

Both Team Northern Ontario second Duncan Bell and lead Marc Barrette have never competed at a national championship before, and Harnden said they show no signs of any rookie jitters. 

“They both played great,” said Harnden of his front end’s performance. “So, for their first time? I’m super proud of the way they played.” 

And while Harnden himself is competing for a national senior men’s title this week in Ottawa, his nephews Ryan and E.J. Harnden, who play lead and second for Team Matt Dunstone, are currently battling for the 2025 Montana’s Trials crown in Halifax. 

Coming from a curling family and having reciprocal support is a special feeling for the Northern Ontario skip. 

“I know they’ll be following along this week,” said Al about his nephews. “It’s always fun to have family that is playing at the same time and trying to win a championship. Those guys have a great perspective and same for me. I’m just going to try to enjoy this since it’s likely my last time.” 

Despite a dream start for Harnden and Co., the team remains grounded in its approach as the championship week progresses.  

“I’m not thinking about that yet,” said Harnden about winning a potential 2025 Canadian senior men’s title. “For me, it’s just about enjoying this event while I can. I’m grateful to be here at 72 years old and compete with the best seniors in Canada. We’re going to be playing hard every game and hopefully we give everybody a tough game, just like we did this time.” 

The top four in each pool then advance to the Championship Pool for crossover games beginning Thursday, Dec. 4, against teams from the other pool, while the remaining teams go to the Seeding Pool.  

After the Championship Pool round robin wraps up on Friday, Dec. 5, the playoffs will start Saturday, Dec. 6, at 10 a.m. with the semifinals, pairing the first-seeded team against the fourth-seeded team and the second- and third-ranked teams in the second semifinal.  

The winners advance to their respective gold-medal final, while the losers will play for bronze. The medal games for both genders will be at 3 p.m. 

In other Saturday afternoon men’s draws, Team Saskatchewan’s Bruce Korte (1-0; Saskatoon) doubled up Team New Brunswick’s Jame’s Grattan (0-1; Saint John) 6-3. Team Manitoba’s Dave Boehmer (1-0; Petersfield) edged Team Prince Edward Island’s Eddie MacKenzie (0-1; Cornwall) 5-4 while Team Newfoundland and Labrador’s Keith Ryan (1-0; Labrador City) downed team Northwest Territories’ Greg Skauge (0-1; Yellowknife) 11-3. Team Ontario’s Mike Harris (1-0; Brantford) felled Team Yukon’s Robert Smallwood (0-1; Whitehorse) 11-3 and Team British Columbia’s Neil Dangerfield (1-0; Victoria) took home an 8-5 win over Team Nunavut’s Peter Mackey (0-1; Iqaluit).   

Action from the 2025 Canadian Senior Curling Championships resumes with women’s draws this evening at 8:30 p.m., (all times Eastern). 

For live scores, live streaming, team rosters, and the draw schedule, CLICK HERE. 

This story will be available in French as soon as possible by CLICKING HERE.