Junior curling provincials in Victoria

For the Josh Hozack rink, the mission is simple: win the junior provincials at home in Victoria next week and qualify for nationals.

Team Hozack, along with Team de Jong, are the two home rinks who qualified for the 2012 junior boys provincials at the Victoria Curling Club next week, Dec. 27 to 31.

Both are highly capable of winning B.C.B次元官网网址檚 this week. Each competed in SeptemberB次元官网网址檚 Cloverdale Cash Spiel, part of the 2011-12 World Curling Tour series of pro tournaments, though neither made the money round.

But itB次元官网网址檚 team Hozack that holds an edge as the favourite. They came oh so close to winning the 2011 provincials last year, only to lose in the final. Going into this yearB次元官网网址檚 provincials, they just happen to be tied for first in the Tuesday night super league, where both teams play in search of higher competition.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e played well against some good teams in the Tuesday league,B次元官网网址� said Todd Troyer, coach of the Hozack rink. ItB次元官网网址檚 no small task to lead the super league, home to the Jody rink, which qualified for menB次元官网网址檚 provincials on Sunday with a win over VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Neil Dangerfield rink at the Island playdowns in Campbell River.

The success is welcome but not a surprise for the Hozack rink, which started the season early. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e more confident and prepared than ever,B次元官网网址� Hozack said. B次元官网网址淭here isnB次元官网网址檛 much ice in the summer, so we were up at Kerry Park as early as July and went to Vernon for a week-long camp in August. Our goal is to go to nationals. We believe we can.B次元官网网址�

As skip, Hozack throws last with team members Zac Capron at lead, Nolan Reid at second and Corey Chester at third. ItB次元官网网址檚 the final year of junior for 20-year-olds Hozack and Capron, though Chester (19) and Reid (18) will remain eligible.

B次元官网网址淧laying at home feels great. It just makes you want to win it even more,B次元官网网址� Hozack said.

When theyB次元官网网址檙e not curling, Hozack, Capron and Chester study accounting at Camosun College. Coincidentally, coach Troyer is a chartered accountant with downtown firm Norgaard Neale Camden.

Two home teams

Team de Jong is also known as the Wenzek rink, as third Daniel Wenzek calls the shots, though Cameron de Jong throws the teamB次元官网网址檚 last rocks. Thomas Thierbach leads and Sanjay Bowry throws second. The team is coached by Donald McMullen.

No girls teams from the Victoria club qualified for provincials this year, also running in Victoria next week.

sports@goldstreamgazette.com

Curling sked, Victoria Curling Club, 1952 Quadra St.

Round robin:

Tuesday, Dec. 27

3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 28

9:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 29

10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 30

9 a.m.

Tiebreakers:

Friday, Dec. 30

1 and 4:30 p.m. (if necessary)

Playoffs:

Saturday, Dec. 31

semifinal 9:30 a.m. and final 1:30 p.m.