Kirkpatrick rink reaches championship event in Humboldt

The Max Kirkpatrick rink made a Championship Event appearance at the Humboldt Curling Club Cash Spiel over the weekend.

The Swift Current rink faced Craig Ochitwa to open the A Event on Friday and moved on with an 83 win after scoring triples in the third and seventh ends.

Kirkpatrick met Scott Manners on Saturday afternoon and edged him out 9-7 in a back and forth affair. Kirkpatrick scored two in the first end before Manners scored one in the second and stole two in the third for a 3-2 lead. Kirkpatrick replied with three in fourth to lead 5-3 before the two teams traded deuces for the next four ends, capped by the Swift Current rink scoring two in the eighth to break a 7-7 tie.

Kirkpatrick took his first loss Saturday evening. He faced Jesse St. John and fell behind 5-1 after three ends. He fought back with one in the fourth and a steal of three in the fifth before St. John scored singles in the sixth and seventh to lead 7-5. Kirkpatrick tied the game again in the eighth with two for a 7-7 tie but St. John emerged with a single in the extra end.

The Swift Current rink bounced right back later that evening with an 8-1 win over Nathan Grudnizki to earn a spot in the Championship Event. Kirkpatrick led 2-1 after three ends before scoring two in the fourth and then stealing four in the fifth to put the game out of reach.

Kirkpatrick ran into Randy Woytowich in the Championship Event and was eliminated with a 51 loss. Kirkpatrick scored his only point in the third end to cut the deficit to 2-1 before Woytowich scored one in the fourth and stole two in the sixth.

Kevin Marsh defeated Woytowich 5-2 in the championship game.