Sarah Koltun's junior rink survived a scare, and Mitchell Young's rink steamrolled to victory at the Yukon's junior playdowns held Dec. 22 and 23 in Teslin.

For the seventh straight year, both teams earned the right to represent the territory at the national junior curling championships, to be held in Fort McMurray, Alta. Jan. 31 to Feb. 10.

However, an appeal has been filed to the Yukon Curling Association regarding the playdowns, which may affect the results. A hearing will take place this weekend.

Team Koltun were crushed 15-3 by their young rivals, Team Horte, in their first game at the Teslin Recreation Complex. The veteran rink was able to recover

however, and won the next two 11-3 and 10-5 to win the best-of-three series.

Team Horte is skipped by 16-year-old Bailey Horte, and is coached by her mom, Rhonda.

"It was not what we were hoping for, outcome-wise,” admitted Koltun's coach Lindsay Moldowan.

"We had a hard time adjusting to the ice and the rocks, and Rhonda's girls have really, really improved. They adjusted quicker than we did. That's basically what it came down to. We need to work on that.”

The first-game blowout wasn't the only scare for Team Koltun. With temperatures dipping below -30 C, the team's motel door became frozen over with ice at one point, requiring some timely work with a hair dryer to get it to open.

"It was cold,” Moldowan said. "It was really cold that weekend.”

While the temperatures outside were icy, Team Young was red-hot on the ice Saturday, beating Chris Nerysoo's rink two-straight (8-0 and 9-2) to win the men's side.

"We're looking at this as a really positive transition year,” coach Wade Scoffin said after his rink booked their seventh-straight trip to nationals. "We're not looking at a national championship as our ultimate goal. We are looking at ongoing continuing good performances.

"If things do fall into place, that's great. But we've got two guys for whom it will be their first appearance. It will be a good learning curve for them.”

Scoffin said the rink's goal from the start of the season was to "really, really enjoy the experience and the path along that we're taking.”

Team Koltun is made up of skip Koltun, third Chelsea Duncan, second Patty Wallingham and lead Jenna Duncan.

Team Young is powered by longtime mates Mitchell Young and Will Mahoney, second Joe Wallingham and lead Spencer Wallace.