(ST. JOHN'S, NL) UNB's Jack Smeltzer rink has earned the silver medal at the 2019 Subway Atlantic University Sport men's curling championship, in St. John's.

The Reds fell 8-3, in six ends, to the Dalhousie Tigers in Sunday's championship game.

It's the second straight year that Dal has beaten UNB in the men's curling final.

"We're not feeling the best, but every game is productive here," said Smeltzer. "We know what we need to do better for U SPORTS."

The Tigers scored four times in the third end and then stole three more in the fourth.

"We just missed one or one and a half shots, and they made everything," said Smeltzer.

The win earned the Tigers a trip to the U SPORTS Curling Championships, March 15-19, in Fredericton.

The Reds will be there, as hosts, along with the Memorial Sea-Hawks, as the AUS has three berths in the event.

"We're glad to have qualified as a medalist, and not just as hosts, that was important to us," said Smeltzer.

After finishing as the runner-up at the 2018 AUS Championships, Smeltzer's UNB rink went on to claim the bronze medal at the U SPORTS Championships, in Leduc, Alberta.

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Dani Ahmed/for Memorial Athletics