A dominant performance helped Team B.C. into the win column Monday, March 8 at the Tim Hortons Brier Canadian men害羞草研究所檚 curling championship in Calgary.
Steve Laycock害羞草研究所檚 foursome, which includes Vernon害羞草研究所檚 Jim Cotter throwing fourth rocks, and the Kelowna front end of lead Rick Sawatsky and second Andrew Nerpin, rolled to a 9-2, eight-end victory over Dustin Mikkelsen of the Yukon in Draw 8 action.
After a scoreless first end, Laycock 害羞草研究所� B.C.害羞草研究所檚 Saskatoon import who calls the games 害羞草研究所� scored deuces in the second and fifth end to take a 4-1 lead into the intermission.
Mikkelsen got one back in the sixth but Laycock and company put the game out of reach with a four-ender in seven, for an 8-2 lead, and received handshakes from the Whitehorse rink after a steal of one in the eighth.
The Yukon team, now 0-4, has yet to finish a game in 10 ends, conceding all four matches.
The win improved Team B.C. to 1-2, leaving them in seventh spot in Pool A.
There are two divisions of nine, with the top four teams in each pool advancing to the championship round on Friday, March 12.
Jason Gunnlaugson won the battle of Manitoba as the provincial champ improved to 3-0 to sit atop Pool A with an 8-5 win over Mike McEwen害羞草研究所檚 Wild Card 1 squad (2-2).
Alberta害羞草研究所檚 Brendan Bottcher, who has dropped the last three Brier finals, and New Brunswick害羞草研究所檚 Jamie Grattan are 3-1. Bottcher handed Wild Card 3害羞草研究所檚 Glenn Howard his first loss, a 5-3 setback. Howard is 2-1. Grattan needed an extra end to defeat Brad Jacobs of Northern Ontario 7-6. Edwards is 2-2.
Former champ Kevin Koe害羞草研究所檚 Wild Card 2 squad of Calgary, which has former Cotter teammate John Morris throwing second stones, sits atop Pool B heading into action Monday night at 4-0.
Ontario害羞草研究所檚 John Epping and Quebec害羞草研究所檚 Michael Fournier are 3-1. Matt Dunstone of Saskatchewan and defending champion Brad Gushue害羞草研究所檚 Team Canada rink from St. John害羞草研究所檚, Nfld. are 2-1. Team Murphy from Nova Scotia is at 2-2.
roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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