Northern Ontario’s win streak broken

OTTAWA E. J. Harnden said Northern Ontario’ s 11-0 rampage through the round robin of the Tim Hortons Brier was “gone” and no longer had any significance. “We know that we can’t let up,” the second for the Sault Ste. Marie- based rink said.

Sounds good, except that Brad Gushue’s work crew from Newfoundland and Labrador rallied to claim a 7- 6 victory and direct berth into Sunday’s final at TD Place arena.

Brad Jacobs’ team still has another shot at getting there by winning in the Saturday evening semifinal against the winner of that afternoon’s 3- 4 Page game.

There were several more misfires on Friday night than there had been in the teams’ round- robin finale in the morning.

Northern Ontario blanked the first five ends of that one and capitalized on its opportunities in the later ends for a 4- 1 decision, clinching top spot ahead of Newfoundland and Labrador ( 9- 2).

The other two skips still with hope for a national title, Kevin Koe of Alberta and Mike McEwen of Manitoba, will lead their teams into the 3-4 game Saturday at 2:30 p.m.