Curling: Extra man plays key role for Canadian team

EDMONTON— When the Northlands Coliseum falls silent near the midnight hour, it’s time for Tom Sallows to go to work.

The fifth on Brad Gushue’s Canadian team will scout rocks during practice sessions once evening draws are complete at the Ford world men’s curling championship.

Sallows will also look for nuances on the ice and throw stones to stay sharp in case he’s needed to play. But if everything goes according to plan, Sallows will spend games on the team bench with coach Jules Owchar and team leader Rick Lang.

“I enjoy this role,” Sallows said. “I embrace it. I think it’s just invaluable to be around these guys.”

The Canadians are off to a good start with a 2-0 record in round-robin play. Gushue needed only six ends to complete an 11-3 rout of Russia’s Alexey Stukalskiy on Sunday morning.

Gushue, who opened the tournament with a 7-5 win against Switzerland’s Peter de Cruz, was scheduled to play Sweden’s Niklas Edin in the evening.

Sallows, meanwhile, has several off-ice duties as well.

It could be handling a food run for his teammates, making sure the equipment is ready, or just helping with fan and media requests.

“It’s just about easing their week any way I can,” Sallows said.

The 33-year-old from Grande Prairie, Alta., also picked up some invaluable on-ice experience with Gushue, third Mark Nichols, second Brett Gallant and lead Geoff Walker at the Elite 10 last month.

Walker injured his shoulder during the Tim Hortons Brier so Sallows played lead at the Grand Slam event.

Sallows also served as an alternate for the Canadian team skipped by Pat Simmons that won bronze at the 2015 world playdowns.

“He’s got world championship experience whereas the rest of us haven’t played at a world men’s,” said Nichols. “That speaks volumes for a team that hasn’t been here.”