Big weekend of curling on P.E.I.

Islanders surprise team of QMJHL

A small but select field of men’s and women’s curlers should make for a very good provincial championship weekend of curling in Cornwall. Only five men’s and five women’s teams are competing in a modified triple-knockout event that appears to be evenly matched. Defending-champions Eddie MacKenzie and Robyn MacPhee are back, and are considered the favourites. The men’s winners are off to the Tim Horton’s Brier in March in Regina, Sask., while the women’s winner is off to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts beginning Jan. 27 in Penticton, B.C.

Curling fans will also be watching the fortunes of Brett Gallant, who is teamed up with Jocelyn Peterman at this week’s mixed doubles competition in Portage le Prairie, Man. The winner of this event represents Canada at next month’s Winter Olympics in South Korea.

The Gallant/Peterman team won this event last year, and they’ve won their first seven games this week. Winning this year would be extra special for Gallant as he would be joining his father, Peter, at the Olympics. Peter coaches the host South Korean women’s team.

CBC will televise the mixed championship this weekend.

Charlottetown Islanders

as he hired Hulton. It was too bad for Sonier that his hire ended up with his job, but that sometimes happens in sports.

The success the Islanders are having this year can at least be attributed in part to Sonier.

Outdoor hockey

The fad of outdoor hockey is wearing off, and it may be time to scale it back a bit. Last week’s world junior game between Canada and United States would have been much better indoors. There are too many variables that can affect any outdoor game, not the least of which is snow, rain and cold.

One looks forward to this annual game between these two nations, and instead of seeing a great game, we saw continuous stoppages for moving snow that stemmed the flow of what should have been a great game.

The greater risk of injury to players on poor ice, combined with unpredictable weather, are enough to say farewell to outdoor games. I think a lot would agree that it should at least be the case in the world junior championship.

Detroit Lions