GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alta - The rivalry between Northern Ontario and Manitoba reached a crescendo this weekend as Northern Ontario defeated Manitoba in Curling despite second Ashley Sippala touching the stone with her foot. This act of sporting imprudence lead curling and soccer fanatic Gerald Henderson to exclaim that the rivalry between Northern Ontario and Manitoba was just waiting for soccer teams to exist in order to become really intense.

"Just wait til we get a semi-professional soccer team. Then we can get revenge on you Northern Ontario people in footy" -- Manitoba Skip Kerri Einarson (Photo, Curling Canada/Andrew Klaver)

"I very much believe that if we finally get semi-professional soccer teams into the mix with the Canadian Premier League, that the rivalry between Northern Ontario and Manitoba will be an example that will shock the world," stated Mr. Henderson to The Nutmeg News on Monday.

"We already have the rivalry between Einarson and McCarville that is burning with a white hot flame. Now we just need to expand that curling rivalry into the football stands and pitch between two semi-professional soccer teams in a modified lacrosse field or converted rec-league stadium somewhere."

Reportedly with things getting intense after the Sippala Stone Touching incident, Manitoba fans are preparing a tifo in the eventuality that they will have a chance at making fun of Northern Ontario fans in the future.

"We've got a great idea that visually shows and states that Northern Ontario are a bunch of curling cheaters but they can't touch the ball with their foot. This shows both sides of the coin," stated the Manitoba Menace, a supporters group convened with the idea that eventually they will have a soccer team to support.

The Nutmeg News will have more on this as McCarville and team Northern Ontario develops another sporting rivalry with Team Alberta after their defeat in the finals of the 2016 Scotties Tournament of Heart Championship.