Smith starts hot
Montague rink wins twice on Day 1 of Canadian juniors
The Tyler Smith-skipped rink from the Montague Curling Club was alone atop the Pool B standings after Day 1 of the New Holland Canadian men’s curling championship in Langley, B.C.
Smith, third Ryan Abraham, second Jake Flemming and lead Ryan Lowery defeated Manitoba One 5-4 and New Brunswick 7-4 on Saturday.
Against Manitoba, the Island squad scored singles in the first two end before Manitoba scored one in each of the next three ends to take a 3-2 lead to the sixth.
P.E.I. scored a deuce in the sixth and the teams traded singles in the ninth and 10th ends.
The Island rink stayed hot against New Brunswick, scoring three in the fourth to take a 4-2 lead.
New Brunswick got one back in the fifth before P.E.I. counted two in the eighth for a 6-3 lead.
The teams traded singles in the ninth and 10th ends.
The Smith foursome, coached by Phil Gorveatt, played Quebec late Sunday night, but results were unavailable at press time.
They meet Northern Ontario and Nova Scotia Monday at 6 and 11 p.m., respectively.
P.E.I.’s women’s champs, the Lauren Ferguson rink from the Cornwall Curling Club, lost their opening game 10-4 in eight ends to Manitoba at the competition, which is also taking place in Langley.
Manitoba scored deuces in the first and third ends and added three in the fourth to take a 7-0 lead.
Prince Edward Island got two back in the fifth, but Manitoba answered with three in the sixth.
P.E.I. counted singles the next two ends before shaking hands.
Ferguson’s team includes third Sydney Howatt, second Kristie Rogers, lead Rachel O’Connor and coach Patrick Quilty.
They played Quebec and Nova Scotia Sunday and will meet New Brunswick today at 6 p.m.