For Team Reid Carruthers, it was a dream come true!
After losing their 2nd game, they regained their focus and played lights out the rest of the way, earning victories to finish in the 1vs2 game in page playoffs. They would face their Hardline Curling teammates, Team Mike McEwen. McEwen got off to a strong start, leading 4-1 after 6. In the 7th end, Carruthers faced a very tough double to stay in the game, and he executed to perfection. You can see the shot here: https://youtu.be/Ja9ft4mxBeU
From there, Carruthers turned the game around and earned a hard fought come from behind win against McEwen on some very questionable ice.
McEwen then faced his longtime rival, Jeff Stoughton, in the semi finals. And with a great double takeout in the 10th, McEwen earned his place in the finals in a rematch against Carruthers and a Hardline Curling dream final. The icePad would be going to the Brier!
In the finals, it was a close game until the 6th end, when faced against 3, McEwen drew a little heavy and gave a steal of 3 and 4-1 lead to Carruthers.
McEwen managed to make it 4-3 after 8, and with a single in the 9th, Carruthers took a 5-3 lead into the 10th. But with a last takeout, Carruthers and team sealed the victory and booked their ticket to the Brier in Calgary! See the last shot here: https://youtu.be/WIuQaSqD8pg
Over in Switzerland, Team Silvana Tirinzoni played in their national championships, and earned a silver medal by reaching the finals, but losing to Team Alina Paetz.
In BC, Team Dean Joanisse also earned the silver medal at BC provincials losing a hard fought battle in an extra end against Jim Cotter.
In Quebec, Team Mike Fournier fought hard and made it to the finals, but lost to Jean-Michel Menard who earned his way to another Brier in Calgary.
