P.E.I. eliminated in Brier qualification event

Prince Edward Island will not be in the main Brier field for the first time since 1937. The Eddie MacKenzieskipped rink from the Charlottetown Curling Complex dropped a 10-1 eight-end decision to Nova Scotia on Friday to fall to 1-2 in the Tim Hortons Brier qualification tournament in St. John’s, N.L. The Island squad lost 12-7 to Yukon in the morning draw.

Against Nova Scotia’s Jamie Murphy, third Sean Ledgerwood set up the first end for MacKenzie with a great tapback followed by a perfect come around. MacKenzie followed with two credible draws to force Nova Scotia to take one.

Nova Scotia’s backend executed some great takeout shots in the second end to return the favour.

With last rock, MacKenzie slid three feet too far on a draw against three, giving Nova Scotia a steal of two.

The Bluenosers again executed some great hits in the third, forcing MacKenzie to draw against three Nova Scotia stones. MacKenzie was a few inches short, giving Nova Scotia another steal to make the score 4-0. MacKenzie again had to draw against three Nova Scotia rocks in the fourth, but he was short to make the score 7-0 and a comeback unlikely. P.E.I., which includes second Matthew Nabuurs and lead Robbie Doherty, scored one in the seventh end to get on the scoreboard.

Nova Scotia picked up two in the eighth to make the final 10-1.

In the other game, Yukon’s Craig Kochan clinched a spot in the final Brier qualifier game with a 10-1 win against Nunavut’s Jim Nix. Kochan plays Nova Scotia today at 2 p.m. with the winner qualifying for the Brier.

Prince Edward Island will be in the main field in 2018 as the relegation process will not be in place next year.