Bob Smallwood’s Yukon rink suffered a tough 10-3 loss to Manitoba this morning, effectively ending their chances at a championship run in North Bay, Ont.

At press time, the Northwest Territories entry, which includes both Jamie Koe and his twin sister Kerry Galusha, had just handed the Yukon its fourth loss, by a score of 10-4.

Today’s two losses see the territory’s record fall to 2-4 at the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship.

Smallwood’s team – which also includes third Nicole Baldwin, second Wade Scoffin and lead Jody Smallwood – entered today’s action with a 2-2 record.

The loss to Manitoba hurt.

Even if the Whitehorse team had been able to come back and beat Koe, the tiebreaking formula of collective draws to the button likely would not have been enough to carry them through to the championship round, said Danny Lamoureux, Canadian Curling’s event spokesperson.

The Yukon got off to a hot start at the mixed nationals event, downing New Brunswick 10-1 in their first round robin game Monday.

Smallwood stole three points from Scott Jones in the sixth end and four more in the seventh en route to victory.

But the Yukon dropped their second game 8-4 to Alberta’s Glen Hansen, before losing 9-4 to Quebec’s Tom Wharry in their first game Tuesday.

The Yukon regrouped to beat British Columbia’s Wes Craig 9-6, evening their record at 2-2 before this morning’s blowout loss to Manitoba.

Manitoba skip Jared Kolomaya scored triples in the second and fourth ends before stealing four in the fifth and spelling curtains for the Yukon.

Smallwood’s rink will continue playing for seeding tomorrow.

Round robin scores

MONDAY

Yukon 10, New Brunswick 1
Alberta 8, Yukon 4

TUESDAY

Quebec 9, Yukon 4
Yukon 9, British Columbia 6

WEDNESDAY

Manitoba 10, Yukon 3
Northwest Territories 10, Yukon 4