15 Wing wins silver at 2022 CAF Canada West Curling Championship

15 Wing Moose Jaw brought home the silver medal Thursday at the 2022 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Canada West Curling Championship held at the Moose Jaw Curling Centre.

17 Wing CFB Winnipeg defeated Moose Jaw by a score of 10-2 in the championship final.

"We're just coming out here to have some fun," said Corporal Jonathan Benson, who played skip for the home team. "It was a really good tournament. I was really impressed with Edmonton, they threw a team together within a couple of days before. They did pretty good; they did a lot of learning, so I was impressed with them. I'm happy with the way we came out of this. It was actually unexpected."

Corporal Jonathan Benson delivers a skip's rock

Moose Jaw opened the tournament on Tuesday with a win over Edmonton Garrison and a loss to 4 Wing Cold Lake. The home team dropped games to 19 Wing Comox and Winnipeg on Wednesday however found themselves in the semi-finals Thursday morning. Moose Jaw defeated Comox by a score of 7-2 to advance to the final and a rematch against Winnipeg.

"The way we started to the way we finished, we ended up second here. We found our game this morning, unfortunately, we couldn't keep that game. We were really good. I was proud with the guys," commented Benson. "We just kind of threw a team together and it turned out pretty good. I'm pretty happy with the way it came out."

For Winnipeg Skip Captain Matt Lazaruk, this was his sixth time competing in the event, although this year it was with a brand new team.

17 Wing CFB Winnipeg finished the tournament with five wins and one loss.

"This has been wonderful. From the facility here to the people at the Wing to the teams we've played against has been absolutely fantastic," said Lazaruk. "Grade A facility, you could not have asked for a better place to play. We felt so welcome here. It's been a wonderful time."

He added it was a great feeling to be back out on the ice.

"Coming out of the COVID pandemic, where we weren't sure if events like this were even going to be able to occur anymore, it's been a wonderful feeling. Getting a chance to come out here and play with other people who are passionate about the sport and members of the CAF, it's always a great feeling. There's a great teamwork and comradery that builds with these kinds of events. Especially when you play a few of them, you get to see the same teams or same faces over and over."

Lazaruk said he's looking forward to defending the gold medal next year.

The teams attended a social gathering Thursday night to wrap up the three-day event.

17 Wing CFB Winnipeg - (L-R) Captian Paul Neilands (Third), Captain Ian Aastrom (Lead), Captain Matt Lazaruk (Skip), Sergeant Frank Charest (Second)