Marsh rink takes aim at Tankard
Kevin Marsh wasn’t old enough to drive when the Saskatchewan Curling Tour launched back in 2003, but a decade later, it’s carved out a nice little road for him.
The 25-year-old Saskatoon Nutana skip pre-qualified for the SaskTel Tankard, which begins Wednesday in Shaunavon, through his stellar play on this year’s Sask Tour — and he says the circuit is an invaluable part of his team’s preparations.
“We have work commitments, so we can’t do the (World Curling Tour),” says Marsh, whose team — all under 30 years of age — lost the Tankard semifinal to eventual champion Brock Virtue last season.
“Playing the Sask Tour works nicely for us. It’s Friday, Saturday, Sunday, then we can go to work Monday to Friday and still get competitive games in on the weekend. You can practice all you want, but you still need those competitive games to get better.”
Saskatoon Nutana clubmate Darrel McKee ( 28 SCT points) and Marsh (27 points) emerged with the two Tankard berths up for grabs through the standings.
Marsh’s team, into its fourth season together, includes third Matt Ryback, second Daniel Marsh and lead Aaron Shutra.
Fellow curlers seeded them fifth out of 16 teams this year, and Marsh said there’s nothing wildly unexpected with the field he’s facing.
“There’s no surprises — no surprises at all,” Marsh said. “We’ve curled against each other throughout the cash fall season, and these are the teams I would have selected to be in the event.
“Brad Heidt and Jamie Schneider didn’t make it this year, but Virtue’s back and he’s going to be the favourite. (Second-seed Steve) Laycock goes really hard, too, and those are the big guns that are going to be tough to bring down. But I know if we can play our best, we can beat them.”
Virtue, from Regina Callie, owns the top seed heading into the event followed by Laycock, Regina Highland’s Scott Bitz and Saskatoon Nutana’s Bruce Korte.
Tankard action begins with 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. draws on Wednesday at Crescent Point Wickenheiser Centre and runs through Sunday, with the final slated for 2 p.m.
Marsh said the semifinal showing at last year’s Tankard whetted his appetite for the possibilities that could lie ahead.
“We want to get kind of the same results,” Marsh said, “though two more wins would be the best.”
The winner advances to the Brier March 1 to 9 in Kamloops, B.C.