FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. -- Nunavut had a tough introduction to the Canadian junior curling championships on Saturday.

Both its men's and women's teams started the tournament with 0-2 records after two draws of ugly losses.

"Coming into this, we were realistic in our expectations," said men's coach Kevin Bussey, who also serves as president of the Nunavut Curling Association. "Kudos to the sport of curling because I don't think any other sport in the world would allow guys who are new to the sport to compete with the world's best.

"Our teams are just ecstatic about coming here. It's a treaty experience, and a lot of people back in Nunavut appreciate the experience as well. To see the kids competing with all the other provinces and territories is just awesome."

Nunavut's men's rink, skipped by David Kakuktinniq, lost to British Columbia's Tyler Klymchuk 11-2 in the second draw, while its women's rink, skipped by Sadie Pinksen, were beat 20-0 by Yukon's club led by Jenna Duncan.

Elsewhere in men's action, New Brunswick (2-0) downed Nova Scotia (1-1) 11-4, Quebec (1-0) edged the Northwest Territories (0-2) 7-6, while Newfoundland and Labrador (1-1) topped Manitoba (1-1) 7-4. Manitoba's Matt Dunstone earlier beat Northwest Territories 12-0.

Also, Ontario (2-0) beat Yukon (1-0) 9-5 and Saskatchewan (0-1) slipped past Prince Edward Island (0-1) 7-6.

On the women's side, New Brunswick (1-1) edged B.C. (1-1) 7-6, Ontario (2-0) routed Nova Scotia (0-1) 10-2, Manitoba (2-0) beat P.E.I. (0-1) 8-6 and Quebec (1-0) defeated the Northwest Territories (0-2) 9-3. Manitoba's Shannon Birchard had earlier beat Northern Ontario 9-6.

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 3, 2013 B16