Moose Jaw's Marc-Andre Doyon came as close as could be to reaching his goal of a top-10 finish at the Canada Winter Games during his final skate in Red Deer on Thursday.
Competing in the mass start sprint event, the Moose Jaw Kinsmen Speedskating Club standout crossed the line in 11th place to rank as the top Saskatchewan skater.
That performance came on the heels of a 17th overall showing in the male 1,000 metres speedskating final on Wednesday, where Doyon crossed the line a time of 1:20.51.
Warman's Brad Heit had the top Saskatchewan finish at 14th in a time 1:18.52, while Manitoba's Tyson Langelaar continued his stellar week of skating with a Games-record 1:12.79 to claim the gold medal by nearly two seconds over his nearest competitor.
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Team Saskatchewan has guaranteed themselves a shot at a medal in male hockey at the Canada Winter Games.
Team Sask – including Moose Jaw Minor Hockey product and Prairie Hockey Academy standout Kirk Mullen – posted a 6-3 victory over Nova Scotia in their quarter-final contest Wednesday in Red Deer.
Saskatchewan continued to show their team balance, as Regina's Cole Sillinger scored once and added an assist to go along with single markers from Saskatoon's Karter Prosofsky, Kindersley's Logan Linklater, Prince Albert's Gabriel Klassen and Ashton Ferner, and Davidson's Nolan Allan.
Moose Jaw Warriors draft pick Brett Mirwald turned aside 34 shots in goal, Team Sask fired 27 at Nova Scotia.
The two teams were tied 1-1 after the first and Team Sask led 3-2 through two.
Team Sask now faces Quebec in the semifinal this evening, with the winner advancing to the gold medal game against either Alberta or Ontario. Both medal games takes place Friday night.
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Moose Jaw's Marc-Andre Doyon finished 17th overall in the male 1,000 metres speedskating final on Thursday, crossing the line a time of 1:20.51.
Warman's Brad Heit had the top Saskatchewan finish at 14th in a time 1:18.52, while Manitoba's Tyson Langelaar continued his stellar week of skating with a Games-record 1:12.79 to claim the gold medal by nearly two seconds over his nearest competitor.
Doyon is back in action for his final race in Red Deer on Thursday when he takes to the ice in the male mass start sprint this afternoon.
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With the switch-over set to take place Saturday, Moose Jaw's contingent of figure skaters and curlers are preparing for their Games appearance.
The team of Skylar Ackerman, third Madison Johnson, second Chantel Hoag and lead Samantha McLaren will play their first contest on Sunday morning when they face the Northwest Territories in the morning draw and Nova Scotia in the evening.
Both Ryann Handley in Novice ladies and the Novice pairs team of Raine Eberl and Caidence Derenisky will skate their short programs on Tuesday and freeskate program on Thursday.
