The Arctic Winter Games boys and girls curling teams were set to begin their round-robin play on March 15 – the first day of the Games.

However, with the cancellation of the Games announced on March 7, the two teams played each other last Saturday in a fun game at the Whitehorse Curling Club. It was the last day the curling club was open.

The girls’ team set to represent the territory were Kat Anderson, Neizha Snider, Taylor Legge and Dannika Mikkelsen.

The boys’ team was Konrad Simpson, Charles Snider, Jordan Keats and Eagan Beets-Chairmain.

Before the game, the athletes were given their Arctic Winter Games pins and were encouraged to share them with officials and volunteers who had dedicated their time to put on the Games.

Keats, third for the boys’ team, said Saturday’s event saw both teams slightly off their usual game.

“It was good,” said Keats about the game. “There were a few things, it was a little shaky because of all the emotions about the Arctic Winter Games being cancelled.”

For Keats, it was going to be his first Arctic Winter Games. He tried out for the 2018 Games in South Slave region, N.W.T. but didn’t make it. He said playing Saturday gave him some closure and now it’s about looking ahead to future tournaments.

“It was better to get it out of the way,” said Keats. “You know, get the chance to show that everything we worked for still has a purpose.

“Next year, we are looking at U18s and juniors which are much bigger of a competition level.”

The Arctic Winter Games, Keats said, was supposed to be a level up in competition for the curling team.

“Arctics were supposed to be our stepping stone,” said Keats. “You know, I’m very proud of our team and the amount of work that we’ve done.

“We’ve practiced three times a week pretty much since we started this season. It’s been something where I’ve been pretty proud to be apart of. Unfortunately, Arctics would have been a bit better.”

Although he never got to compete in the Games, Keats said he takes pride in being a Team Yukon athlete.

“It makes sense why they cancelled it,” said Keats. “I’m still happy and proud to be apart of it. It’s a pretty cool feeling.”

The girls won the game Saturday and Keats believes had the AWG taken place, both teams would have had a good shot at the podium.

“Looking at who we were playing, definitely,” said Keats. “Even if we didn’t win it would have been a lot of fun to go out there and work our hardest.”