Team Mike McEwen continued their great start to the season with a win at The National, a Grand Slam of Curling event. The win marks their 5th win in 6 events this year, with a runner up finish at The Masters, another GSOC event. It was also the team's 4th career Grand Slam victory.
McEwen beat Brier and Olympic champion Brad Jacobs by a score of 5-2. After a bit of slow start to the game, McEwen and team got big steals in the 3rd and 7th end to lead 4-2. In the 8th end, Jacobs had an angle raise double takeout to try and score his deuce to tie game, but ended up jamming shot rock and McEwen stole another 1 to win and claim the title.
McEwen with the win claimed top spot on the World Curling Tour Order of Merit is officially the # 1 team in the world. They also retain the #1 spot on the money list, and #1 on the CCA CTRS standings.
McEwen made history with the win - it was Hardline Curling's first GSOC victory!
Team McEwen - National champions
Team McEwen had also reached the final in the 1st GSOC event of the year - The Masters. After going down 4 in the finals, McEwen scored an improbable 4 in the 6th end with a shot that was heard around the curling world. It can be seen here:
In other Hardline news -
Team Reid Carruthers also played in the National, their 1st Grand Slam event as a team, and they did not disappoint by qualifying for playoffs! They finished the round robin with a 5-0 record after recording a big win over Bottcher on the Sportsnet televised game. They lost the quarterfinals game to Jacobs, but despite the loss, proved they are a team to be reckoned with!
In Red Deer, AB, Team Heather Nedohin played the Red Deer Cashspiel and qualified B side by beating reigning Scotties champion Rachel Homan. In the quarterfinals, they lost a tough battle to Casey Scheidegger. Team Nedohin appears to be rounding into form, and we look forward to more success for the season.
In Victoria, BC - Team Dean Joanisse claimed the WCT event title at the Vancouver Island Shootout. This marked their 2nd title in 2 seasons with Hardline Curling. They are great supporters of ours and we congratulate them!
