Laycock focused on growing game as well as expanding Brier resume
Saskatchewan rink promoting curling with Community Rocks Tour for kids
The goals of Team Saskatchewan’s Steve Laycock extend beyond his pursuit of a Canadian men’s curling title.
Since 2012, Laycock and his teammates have visited curling clubs across Saskatchewan as part of their Community Rocks Tour. The reigning Saskatchewan men’s champions created the initiative to promote curling, sportsmanship and teamwork among the province’s young curlers.
“We did it in partnership with a couple of our sponsors,” Laycock said during a break at the Tim Hortons Brier. “It’s an opportunity for us to give back and to get some kids curling in Saskatchewan. It’s something that we’re very proud of.”
The Community Rocks Tour has grown from three communities to five one-day stops, attracting children from eight to 18 years of age.
Laycock (who throws third stones), Matt Dunstone (fourth), Kirk Muyres (second) and Dallan Muyres (lead) captured the Saskatchewan men’s curling championship Feb. 4. The following day, they were in Balgonie for one of the stops on their tour.
“We knew that it was a risk,” Laycock said. “It made it a lot more fun to be there and talk about our experiences of having won the provincial championship. From that, Matt was able to talk about winning his first Tankard and getting to the Brier for the first time. There would have been a different tone had it been a different result, but we’re committed to doing something that we consider important.”
Meanwhile, Laycock’s four-game Brier winning streak was snapped with an 8-4 loss to Ontario’s John Epping in Wednesday ’s afternoon draw at the Brandt Centre.
The result dropped Laycock’s record to 4-3 in Pool A, leaving him in a precarious position heading into the championship pool, which runs Thursday and Friday.
Northern Ontario’s Brad Jacobs was first in Pool B with a 6-1 record followed by Epping (6-1), Manitoba’s Reid Carruthers (5-2) and Laycock.
The top four teams in both of the eight-team pools advance and also carry their records over to the championship pool.
From there, the top four squads earn berths in the Page playoffs, which start on Saturday.
Laycock likely can’t afford to lose another match if he’s to be among the final four.
“It’s obvious that we have to run the table because four losses is probably too many,” Laycock said after Wednesday’s loss.
“If our pool completely dominates the other pool and brings everyone back to four losses, then maybe we might have a chance, but then our side would be looking pretty strong. The top team in their pool would have to go 0-4, basically.”
In Pool A, Alberta’s Brendan Bottcher (5-1), Team Canada’s Brad Gushue (5-1) and Team Wild Card Mike McEwen’s (5-1) all clinched championship pool berths before Wednesday’s evening draw.
The championship round marks the first time squads from Pool A and Pool B are to play each other at the Brier.
“It does feel a little different, just because we’ve seen the same seven teams beside us for the entire week,” Laycock said. “It’s almost like they’re in a different bonspiel on the other side.”