Over the course of one afternoon Canada's Kevin Martin managed to shed an incredible amount of excess weight. With his convincing 6-3 victory over Scotland in Sunday's World Curling Championship final game, a 500 pound gorilla was excised from Martin's back. The monkey is no more. The three time Brier champion is finally a winner on the world stage. It's been a long time in coming. Second at a world junior in '86, second and fourth in two previous world men's, and fourth and second in two Olympic appearances. Now he's on top of the world!
The recipe for success was simple. Team up with three of the best young curlers in the land and let them do what comes naturally, while repecting their input as equals. This season, Ben Hebert, Marc Kennedy and John Morris have consistently proven to be integral components in the Martin machine. It was no different in Sunday's finale.
Second Marc Kennedy had an outstanding game, outcurling his Scottish counterpart Peter Smith by almost 20 percentage points. Smith's miscues cost the Scots dearly, particularly in the second half of the game when they were attempting to mount a comeback. John Morris continued to curl with the steady consistency which Martin has come to rely upon. When your second and your third both curl 95% for the day, chances are good that you're last rock scenarios are going to be looking pretty attractive.
Murdoch and the Scots, with hammer after their 1/2 Page victory over the Canucks, kept things clean in the first end for the blank. In the second, the Scottish skip crashed a guard on his first shot and then jammed a raise takeout attempt on his second allowing Martin a steal of one.
In the third end, the Scots had a chance for a deuce, but Murdoch's last rock in-turn takeout rolled too far and they settled for one. The fourth end was blanked before Martin made a pretty last rock raise takeout for two in the fifth.
Trailing 3-1 and lacking the front end setup shots to mount any offensive attack, Murdoch blanked the sixth end. With his last rock in the seventh, Martin made a beautiful hit and roll to the button, which forced Murdoch to play an angle raise takeout with his final stone. With Murdoch's miss, Martin steals the point and the Canadians have complete control of their destiny.
The Scots manufacture a score of two in the eighth end to close the gap, but Smith takes them out of any steal situation with two complete dogs in the ninth. As the end concluded, Martin had a hit for two to go up 6-3, before the Albertans ran their opponents out of rocks in the tenth.
Game. Set. Match. Monkey off back.
Kudos to the Grand Forks organizing committee for a job well done. Their efforts drew a record 51,731 spectators to the Ralph Engelstad Arena over the course of the championship week.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Attention K Mart Stoppers................
Attention K Mart Stoppers, please make your way directly to Sunday's World Curling Championship finals. That could easily be the directive David Murdoch and his team of Graeme Connal, Peter Smith and Euan Byers received last night after their stunning come-from-behind 7-6 victory over Kevin Martin's Canadian champs. The Scots, trailing 6-2 at the fifth end break, rallied brialliantly in the game's second half. Truth be told, the game was a tale of two halves.
The first end was blanked as both teams were content to keep it clean and get a feel for things. With Connal and Smith on the ice and coach David Hay behind the sheet, the scene harkened back to the 1991 World finale, when those three Scots supported David Smith's precision-hit approach to the game which took them to victory over a non-follically challenged Kevin Martin.
Canada took advantage of some Scottish miscues in the second end to score three, before the Scots responded with two of their own in the third. Again in the fourth end, opportunity knocked and Martin answered the call with another three count. When the fifth end was blanked, Canada went to the break feeling pretty confident about the way the game was unfolding.
Whatever Scottish Coach Hay said to his charges during the break should be bottled up and sold on E-Bay because it seemed to work. Murdoch manufactured a two in the sixth end before some exemplary shotmaking by Connal really applied the pressure in the seventh. It could have been worse, but Canada only gave up a steal of one to lead 6-5.
Martin managed to blank the eighth end, but poor communication among the Canadians on his overthrown last rock attempt in the ninth led to another Scottish steal. Still, they were all tied up coming home with the hammer. What could go wrong?
That sentiment had to be lingering after Ben Hebert, who shot a game high 99%, made two outstanding tick shots to clear the centre line of guard material. Easy Peasy, right?
Well, there were still rocks on the corners which could be utilized, but K Mart would have complete access to the four foot for any last rock draw attempt. After a brilliant Scottish out-turn draw around the corner guards to the eight foot proved inaccessable, Martin decided to practice his draw weight with his first rock; an in-turn to a better piece of the eight foot.
It was at this point that the Scots employed their psychological warfare skills. Knowing that Martin has a less than illustrious history of last rock performance on the international stage, they decided to freeze him out for a few minutes, by calling a group meeting about their options. They even called Coach Hay down to ice level to help delay the game in advance of Martin's final rock.
They used the guise of being unsure of where they wanted their shooter to roll, but everyone watching knew exactly what they were up to.
Martin's last rock out-turn draw attempt was a little heavy and ran a little straight and when it rubbed and rolled off the Scottish counter in the back of the four foot, Murdoch's Marauders had stolen the win.
Martin and his Canadian cohorts must now regroup in advance of their semi-final game this afternoon against Norway's Thomas Ulsrud, who downed China's Fengchun Wang 7-5 in Friday's 3/4 Page Playoff.
The first end was blanked as both teams were content to keep it clean and get a feel for things. With Connal and Smith on the ice and coach David Hay behind the sheet, the scene harkened back to the 1991 World finale, when those three Scots supported David Smith's precision-hit approach to the game which took them to victory over a non-follically challenged Kevin Martin.
Canada took advantage of some Scottish miscues in the second end to score three, before the Scots responded with two of their own in the third. Again in the fourth end, opportunity knocked and Martin answered the call with another three count. When the fifth end was blanked, Canada went to the break feeling pretty confident about the way the game was unfolding.
Whatever Scottish Coach Hay said to his charges during the break should be bottled up and sold on E-Bay because it seemed to work. Murdoch manufactured a two in the sixth end before some exemplary shotmaking by Connal really applied the pressure in the seventh. It could have been worse, but Canada only gave up a steal of one to lead 6-5.
Martin managed to blank the eighth end, but poor communication among the Canadians on his overthrown last rock attempt in the ninth led to another Scottish steal. Still, they were all tied up coming home with the hammer. What could go wrong?
That sentiment had to be lingering after Ben Hebert, who shot a game high 99%, made two outstanding tick shots to clear the centre line of guard material. Easy Peasy, right?
Well, there were still rocks on the corners which could be utilized, but K Mart would have complete access to the four foot for any last rock draw attempt. After a brilliant Scottish out-turn draw around the corner guards to the eight foot proved inaccessable, Martin decided to practice his draw weight with his first rock; an in-turn to a better piece of the eight foot.
It was at this point that the Scots employed their psychological warfare skills. Knowing that Martin has a less than illustrious history of last rock performance on the international stage, they decided to freeze him out for a few minutes, by calling a group meeting about their options. They even called Coach Hay down to ice level to help delay the game in advance of Martin's final rock.
They used the guise of being unsure of where they wanted their shooter to roll, but everyone watching knew exactly what they were up to.
Martin's last rock out-turn draw attempt was a little heavy and ran a little straight and when it rubbed and rolled off the Scottish counter in the back of the four foot, Murdoch's Marauders had stolen the win.
Martin and his Canadian cohorts must now regroup in advance of their semi-final game this afternoon against Norway's Thomas Ulsrud, who downed China's Fengchun Wang 7-5 in Friday's 3/4 Page Playoff.
Friday, April 11, 2008
It's Playoff Time in Grand Forks
The NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs are underway, but they won't conclude until sometime in June, so let's focus on the World Curling Championship playoffs which will be over by Sunday. Guaranteed!
Canada, after a convincing last round win over Craig Brown's American champs, finished atop the standings at 10-1 and will meet Scotland in the 1-2 Page Playoff game Friday night. Scotland's David Murdoch wound up with a record of 8 wins and 3 losses and his team of Euan Byers, Peter Smith and Graeme Connal were full measure in every game. They lost by one rock to Canada and the USA, and by two to the Czechs in first round action.
Statistically, the Scots measure up quite nicely with Canada. After the preliminaries, Canada's lead Ben Hebert and Scotland's Byers were tied in efficiency at 86%. At second Marc Kennedy outshot Peter Smith 86% to 84%. Canada's John Morris, who proved himself to be the All-World vice in the round-robin, outcurled Scotland's Connal by only 4 percentage points-90% -86%.
At skip, Canada's Kevin Martin was a wee bit better than his Scottish counterpart. He curled 86% to Murdoch's 82% in the round-robin.
Regardless of the 1-2 Page Playoff outcome, I'm thinking that these two teams will be featured in Grand Fork's grand finale come Sunday afternoon. It should make for some great curling. Hell, the Scots should be assured a place in the finals based on their brogues alone.
For the second time this year, a Chinese Wang will be front and center on the World Curling stage. Last month it was silver medalist Bingyu Wang who almost stole the show at the Women's World shootout and now it's Fengchun Wang who has led his team to the 3-4 Page Playoff. Wang and his team of Jialong Zang, Xiaoming Xu and Riu Liu are making China's first trip to the World Championship a memorable one. These guys, who have been working toward this since 2001, are probably the closest thing to full time professionals in the field.
Wang will face Thomas Ulsrud in the 3-4 game, after the Norwegians claimed sole possession of fourth place with an exciting 9-7 extra end win against Australia in the final round-robin draw.
Leading 7-5 after nine ends, Australia's Hugh Millikin let Norway off the hook, allowing Ulsrud a deuce in the tenth and a steal of 2 more in the eleventh end. An Australian win would have meant tie breakers featuring themselves, Norway and France to determine fourth place.
Canada, after a convincing last round win over Craig Brown's American champs, finished atop the standings at 10-1 and will meet Scotland in the 1-2 Page Playoff game Friday night. Scotland's David Murdoch wound up with a record of 8 wins and 3 losses and his team of Euan Byers, Peter Smith and Graeme Connal were full measure in every game. They lost by one rock to Canada and the USA, and by two to the Czechs in first round action.
Statistically, the Scots measure up quite nicely with Canada. After the preliminaries, Canada's lead Ben Hebert and Scotland's Byers were tied in efficiency at 86%. At second Marc Kennedy outshot Peter Smith 86% to 84%. Canada's John Morris, who proved himself to be the All-World vice in the round-robin, outcurled Scotland's Connal by only 4 percentage points-90% -86%.
At skip, Canada's Kevin Martin was a wee bit better than his Scottish counterpart. He curled 86% to Murdoch's 82% in the round-robin.
Regardless of the 1-2 Page Playoff outcome, I'm thinking that these two teams will be featured in Grand Fork's grand finale come Sunday afternoon. It should make for some great curling. Hell, the Scots should be assured a place in the finals based on their brogues alone.
For the second time this year, a Chinese Wang will be front and center on the World Curling stage. Last month it was silver medalist Bingyu Wang who almost stole the show at the Women's World shootout and now it's Fengchun Wang who has led his team to the 3-4 Page Playoff. Wang and his team of Jialong Zang, Xiaoming Xu and Riu Liu are making China's first trip to the World Championship a memorable one. These guys, who have been working toward this since 2001, are probably the closest thing to full time professionals in the field.
Wang will face Thomas Ulsrud in the 3-4 game, after the Norwegians claimed sole possession of fourth place with an exciting 9-7 extra end win against Australia in the final round-robin draw.
Leading 7-5 after nine ends, Australia's Hugh Millikin let Norway off the hook, allowing Ulsrud a deuce in the tenth and a steal of 2 more in the eleventh end. An Australian win would have meant tie breakers featuring themselves, Norway and France to determine fourth place.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Canada Ready to Lap the Field
Canada's Kevin Martin is on the verge of lapping the field at the 2008 world Men's Curling Championship. With two wins in Tuesday's play in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Martin sits high atop the leaderboard with a record of 7-0. Six teams share second place with records of 4-3 after the completion of Draw Eleven play.
Martin and his team of John Morris, Marc Kennedy and Ben Hebert were forced to use an extra end in their morning game against Norway before coming away with a 9-8 victory. Thomas Ulsrud provided the Canadian champions with their toughest test of the week, when they were able to build up a 5-3 lead after six ends of play. The seventh end would prove to be the Norwegians undoing as Martin and company were able to manufacture a big score of four.
Canada's second game of the day was decided much earlier, when Martin scored three in the first, forced one in the second and counted two more in the third en route to an abbreviated 9-4 win over Germany. The opportunity for the three count arose in the first end after German skip Andy Kapp decided to play a last rock, paper thin in turn double on two Canadian counters in the four foot. Unfortunately, for fans of last year's silver medalists, his attempt crashed on a centre line guard allowing Martin the draw to backing for three. Kapp and his German champions are part of the second place logjam along with Australia, France, Norway, Scotland and Denmark.
Play continues on Wednesday with Canada facing China and the Czech Republic which together, have amassed a total of five victories to date. Martin and his mates must remember however, that no matter how close they get to lapping the field in this preliminary race, there's going to be a re-start on the weekend when the playoffs begin and four teams get the chance to sprint to the finish line.
Martin and his team of John Morris, Marc Kennedy and Ben Hebert were forced to use an extra end in their morning game against Norway before coming away with a 9-8 victory. Thomas Ulsrud provided the Canadian champions with their toughest test of the week, when they were able to build up a 5-3 lead after six ends of play. The seventh end would prove to be the Norwegians undoing as Martin and company were able to manufacture a big score of four.
Canada's second game of the day was decided much earlier, when Martin scored three in the first, forced one in the second and counted two more in the third en route to an abbreviated 9-4 win over Germany. The opportunity for the three count arose in the first end after German skip Andy Kapp decided to play a last rock, paper thin in turn double on two Canadian counters in the four foot. Unfortunately, for fans of last year's silver medalists, his attempt crashed on a centre line guard allowing Martin the draw to backing for three. Kapp and his German champions are part of the second place logjam along with Australia, France, Norway, Scotland and Denmark.
Play continues on Wednesday with Canada facing China and the Czech Republic which together, have amassed a total of five victories to date. Martin and his mates must remember however, that no matter how close they get to lapping the field in this preliminary race, there's going to be a re-start on the weekend when the playoffs begin and four teams get the chance to sprint to the finish line.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Johnny, Dangerously Close to Disaster in Early Ends Against Canada
What an Ice Hole! That's the thought that must have been running through the mind of Denmark's Johnny Frederiksen after his first two ends of play at this year's World Men's Curling Championship. Kevin Martin had just taken three in the first end and stolen a singleton in the second to take early control of their Draw 2 matchup last night in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It would prove to be a deficit from which the Danes could not recover as Martin and his Canadian team of Ben Hebert, Marc Kennedy and John Morris cruised to a 9-3 victory.
Outside of lead Ulrik Schmidt, who curled an outstanding 93%, the Hvidovre Curling club team of Bo Jensen, Lars Vilandt and the aforementioned Frederiksen were less than stellar in their execution, curling 53%, 44% and 58% respectively. That works out to a team average of 62% which won't win you too many games at this level of competition. The Canadians, conversely shot 86% for the match, with John Morris leading the way at 88%.
The closest thing to excitement in the game was the conclusion of the fifth end, when Canada, leading 4-2 had to draw against two in the rings and it appeared Martin's last rock attempt might come up short. Hebert and Kennedy were on it for the entire length of the trip, and as it crossed the hog line, Morris was called upon to join the fray. Their efforts paid off in a score of one and a three point lead at the fifth end break. The Danes were forced to one in the sixth, before the Canadians blanked the seventh. Martin drew a piece of the button for three in the eighth and then stole another in the ninth before the gloves came off. All in all, a good start to the week for Canada.
After two draws both France and Germany used victories over China and Switzerland to move to the top of the leaderboard with unblemished 2-0 records. Canada shares second place with Sweden, the United States and the surprising Czech Republic, who bounced David Murdoch's Scottish foursome 7-5 in first round play. There is no truth to the rumour that the Scottish brain trust is considering dumping Murdoch for the remainder of the event.
Outside of lead Ulrik Schmidt, who curled an outstanding 93%, the Hvidovre Curling club team of Bo Jensen, Lars Vilandt and the aforementioned Frederiksen were less than stellar in their execution, curling 53%, 44% and 58% respectively. That works out to a team average of 62% which won't win you too many games at this level of competition. The Canadians, conversely shot 86% for the match, with John Morris leading the way at 88%.
The closest thing to excitement in the game was the conclusion of the fifth end, when Canada, leading 4-2 had to draw against two in the rings and it appeared Martin's last rock attempt might come up short. Hebert and Kennedy were on it for the entire length of the trip, and as it crossed the hog line, Morris was called upon to join the fray. Their efforts paid off in a score of one and a three point lead at the fifth end break. The Danes were forced to one in the sixth, before the Canadians blanked the seventh. Martin drew a piece of the button for three in the eighth and then stole another in the ninth before the gloves came off. All in all, a good start to the week for Canada.
After two draws both France and Germany used victories over China and Switzerland to move to the top of the leaderboard with unblemished 2-0 records. Canada shares second place with Sweden, the United States and the surprising Czech Republic, who bounced David Murdoch's Scottish foursome 7-5 in first round play. There is no truth to the rumour that the Scottish brain trust is considering dumping Murdoch for the remainder of the event.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Martin Should Cut Through Competition At Grand Forks Shootout
Twelve teams from around the globe have won the right to travel to Grand Forks, North Dakota to battle for the 2008 World Men's Curling Championship beginning this Saturday, April 5.
The event, being held at the Ralph Engelstad Arena, will allow Kevin Martin to put the exclamation mark on an incredibly successful year of curling. Let's hope that's how it all unfolds.
Despite a history of falling short on the world stage, Martin and his mates John Morris, Marc Kennedy, Ben Hebert and fifth Adam Enright head into the competition as the overwhelming favourites. Their perfect 13-0 record at the Winnipeg Brier should send shivers down the spines of those who would stand in their way.
There will be some semblance of competition arising from the presence of Scotland's David Murdoch who won it all in 2006. This year he's supported by Graeme Connal, Peter Smith and Euan Byers. They have all been well tested and proven their mettle on the international stage.
After the embarrasing late week team malfunction at this year's World Women's event, you can be sure that management at the Royal Caledonian Curling Club would like nothing better than to be able to claim some small victory in North Dakota.
If the men are as true to form as the women, we should be looking closely at the teams which have survived through the Pacific Curling Championships to provide some top-notch competition. China will make their first trip to the global shootout after Fengchun Wang captured the Pacific title last November. Hugh Millikin will make a return trip representing Australia with Ontario coaching legend Earl Morris on hand to help steer their fortunes.
The Swiss team, skipped by Claudio Pescia, has Patrick Huerlimann on board and that should be good for an extra win or two in itself. Andy Kapp has been competitive at this level in the past and is capable of getting on a roll at the right time, as evidenced by his German team's silver medal at the 2007 world finale. He returns with Andreas Lang and Andreas Kempf in tow, but has added Holger Hohne to this year's squad.
Craig Brown's United States team has the potential to contest and could be the event's dark horse. Sweden sends Anders Kraupp while Denmark's Johnny Frederickson, France's Thomas Dufour and Norway's Thomas Ulsrud have all been there before.
The Czech Republic will be represnted by their version of the Richardsons, with Jiri and Martin Snitil anchoring things on that team's back end. I wouldn't bet the farm on these boys taking down Canada in next Sunday's final.
Here's How Things Could Shake Out in The Round Robin:
Canada 10-1 Martin and Morris will be leading the Chorus
Scotland 8-3 Experience pays dividends
Germany 7-4 Andy is handy against this field
U.S.A. 7-4 Local support will motivate the Yanks
Switzerland 6-5 Will be "cheesed" with getting so close to a playoff
China 6-5 An impressive debut - He's got to be good with a name like Wang!
Norway 6-5 Have you driven a Fjord lately?
Australia 5-6 Good on ya Mates!
Sweden 5-6 What's Swedish for mediocre?
Denmark 3-8 Thanks for coming
France 3-8 Whatever became of Dominique Dupont Roc?
Czech Republic 0-11 These guys will "Czech" out early
The event, being held at the Ralph Engelstad Arena, will allow Kevin Martin to put the exclamation mark on an incredibly successful year of curling. Let's hope that's how it all unfolds.
Despite a history of falling short on the world stage, Martin and his mates John Morris, Marc Kennedy, Ben Hebert and fifth Adam Enright head into the competition as the overwhelming favourites. Their perfect 13-0 record at the Winnipeg Brier should send shivers down the spines of those who would stand in their way.
There will be some semblance of competition arising from the presence of Scotland's David Murdoch who won it all in 2006. This year he's supported by Graeme Connal, Peter Smith and Euan Byers. They have all been well tested and proven their mettle on the international stage.
After the embarrasing late week team malfunction at this year's World Women's event, you can be sure that management at the Royal Caledonian Curling Club would like nothing better than to be able to claim some small victory in North Dakota.
If the men are as true to form as the women, we should be looking closely at the teams which have survived through the Pacific Curling Championships to provide some top-notch competition. China will make their first trip to the global shootout after Fengchun Wang captured the Pacific title last November. Hugh Millikin will make a return trip representing Australia with Ontario coaching legend Earl Morris on hand to help steer their fortunes.
The Swiss team, skipped by Claudio Pescia, has Patrick Huerlimann on board and that should be good for an extra win or two in itself. Andy Kapp has been competitive at this level in the past and is capable of getting on a roll at the right time, as evidenced by his German team's silver medal at the 2007 world finale. He returns with Andreas Lang and Andreas Kempf in tow, but has added Holger Hohne to this year's squad.
Craig Brown's United States team has the potential to contest and could be the event's dark horse. Sweden sends Anders Kraupp while Denmark's Johnny Frederickson, France's Thomas Dufour and Norway's Thomas Ulsrud have all been there before.
The Czech Republic will be represnted by their version of the Richardsons, with Jiri and Martin Snitil anchoring things on that team's back end. I wouldn't bet the farm on these boys taking down Canada in next Sunday's final.
Here's How Things Could Shake Out in The Round Robin:
Canada 10-1 Martin and Morris will be leading the Chorus
Scotland 8-3 Experience pays dividends
Germany 7-4 Andy is handy against this field
U.S.A. 7-4 Local support will motivate the Yanks
Switzerland 6-5 Will be "cheesed" with getting so close to a playoff
China 6-5 An impressive debut - He's got to be good with a name like Wang!
Norway 6-5 Have you driven a Fjord lately?
Australia 5-6 Good on ya Mates!
Sweden 5-6 What's Swedish for mediocre?
Denmark 3-8 Thanks for coming
France 3-8 Whatever became of Dominique Dupont Roc?
Czech Republic 0-11 These guys will "Czech" out early
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Huzzahs For Hritzuk!
If you have any sense of what is right and good, you should be happy for Eugene Hritzuk.
It took 20 years, but the Saskatchewan skip is finally a Canadian curling champion. Hritzuk, with support from Kevin Kalthoff, Verne Anderson and Dave Folk won the 2008 Canadian Senior Men's Curling Championship this past weekend. The boys from the Wheat Province finished the round robin with a 9-2 record, which earned them a semi-final berth against Brian Rafuse and his Brier vets from Nova Scotia. Hritzuk and company used the hammer in the tenth end to full advantage in claiming their 6-5 victory.
So it was on to the final of a national curling championship. Great news, right? Well for anyone not named Eugene Hritzuk it would be fantastic news. Unfortunately for Hritzuk, there were probably mixed emotions arising after the semi-final win.
The year was 1988 and the setting was the Chicoutimi-Jonquiere Labatt Brier. After spanking Paul Savage's Ontario contingent 6-1 in that year's semi-final, Hritzuk was well on his way to claiming the 59th Brier crown against Alberta's Pat Ryan in the final when the wheels fell off. Leading 7-5 playing the tenth end, Hritzuk's fortunes turned and before you could say Moosomin, Ryan counted three and had earned his ticket to Lauzanne, Switzerland and the World Championships. It was a heart breaker for Hritzuk, who was never able to make it back to the national men's shootout.
Sunday's final against New Brunswick's Russ Howard gave Hritzuk the opportunity to vanquish a number of ghosts and he rose to the occasion in fine fashion. Howard and his mates Wayne Tallon, Mike Flannery and Martin Mockler dug themselves a bit of a hole early, but tied things up at 4 apiece after six ends. Hritzuk took a deuce in the seventh and forced Howard to a single in the eighth before the ninth was blanked. One up coming home with the hammer.
Saskatchewan scored the single in the tenth and secured the 7-5 win.
Eugene, the Canadian curling community couldn't be happier for you!
It took 20 years, but the Saskatchewan skip is finally a Canadian curling champion. Hritzuk, with support from Kevin Kalthoff, Verne Anderson and Dave Folk won the 2008 Canadian Senior Men's Curling Championship this past weekend. The boys from the Wheat Province finished the round robin with a 9-2 record, which earned them a semi-final berth against Brian Rafuse and his Brier vets from Nova Scotia. Hritzuk and company used the hammer in the tenth end to full advantage in claiming their 6-5 victory.
So it was on to the final of a national curling championship. Great news, right? Well for anyone not named Eugene Hritzuk it would be fantastic news. Unfortunately for Hritzuk, there were probably mixed emotions arising after the semi-final win.
The year was 1988 and the setting was the Chicoutimi-Jonquiere Labatt Brier. After spanking Paul Savage's Ontario contingent 6-1 in that year's semi-final, Hritzuk was well on his way to claiming the 59th Brier crown against Alberta's Pat Ryan in the final when the wheels fell off. Leading 7-5 playing the tenth end, Hritzuk's fortunes turned and before you could say Moosomin, Ryan counted three and had earned his ticket to Lauzanne, Switzerland and the World Championships. It was a heart breaker for Hritzuk, who was never able to make it back to the national men's shootout.
Sunday's final against New Brunswick's Russ Howard gave Hritzuk the opportunity to vanquish a number of ghosts and he rose to the occasion in fine fashion. Howard and his mates Wayne Tallon, Mike Flannery and Martin Mockler dug themselves a bit of a hole early, but tied things up at 4 apiece after six ends. Hritzuk took a deuce in the seventh and forced Howard to a single in the eighth before the ninth was blanked. One up coming home with the hammer.
Saskatchewan scored the single in the tenth and secured the 7-5 win.
Eugene, the Canadian curling community couldn't be happier for you!
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