HOWARD RINK WORKS TO CLINCH BRIER PLAYOFF SPOT
SASKATOON — Records can be deceiving at the Tim Hortons Brier.
At first glance it might appear that Ontario’s Glenn Howard has been on cruise control in roaring to an 8- 1 mark and clinching a berth in the 1 vs. 2 Page Playoff game at the Canadian men’s curling championship.
Howard, whose only loss at Credit Union Centre was a 10- 6 extra- end setback Sunday to Jamie Koe of the Northwest Territories- Yukon, has already been extended to an extra end five times.
Howard has also won six straight games despite lead Craig Savill battling the flu since Saturday. Savill, who missed two games, has undergone several intravenous treatments to restore his fluids. Scott Howard, Glenn’s son and Ontario’s alternate, filled in while Savill has been ill.
“This has been the longest, hardest grind we’ve gone through,” Howard said after beating Mike Gaudet of Prince Edward Island 10- 5 on Wednesday afternoon, a result which followed an 8- 4 victory over B. C.’ s Jim Cotter in the morning draw. “You have to give Craig credit because he has played awesome since having those two games off. We’ve had to work for every single game we’ve won this week. In the long run, that’s good for us.”
Howard has proven to be among the best at the Brier when it comes to the long run. He’s appearing in his 14th Brier and has reached the final in 10 of those previous appearances.
“I’ve always been on really good consistent curling teams,” said Howard, who has won three Canadian championships ( two as a third with his brother Russ in 1987 and 1993 and once as a skip in 2007).
“During a long week like this, you have to be consistent.
“... Not saying that we’re the best, but we play well enough to get to the weekend. That’s when you have to bring it up to another level.”
Who will step up to Howard’s level has yet to be determined. Alberta’s Kevin Koe was in position to tie Howard for first place with a win over Manitoba’s Robert Fowler on Wednesday night, but lost 8- 5 to fall back to 7- 2.
Fowler improved to 6- 3 and is alone in third place. Fowler is still in position to squeeze into the 1 vs. 2 Page Playoff game with wins in his final two games and Koe falters.
“That was huge for us,’’ Manitoba lead Derek Samagalski said after beating Koe. “It changes everything because it gives us a chance to get into second spot now.’’
Koe has stumbled since racing to a 6- 0 record. He has lost two of his last three games.
“We’re just a little off and that’s what happens when you play good teams,’’ Koe said.
Brad Jacobs of Northern Ontario has played himself into the playoff picture after beating Nova Scotia’s Jamie Murphy 11- 4 on Wednesday. Jacobs has won three straight to improve to 5- 4 and a share of fourth place with Jamie Koe of the Northwest TerritoriesYukon.
Jamie Koe and Jacobs are being chased by Terry Odishaw ( New Brunswick), Murphy and Jim Cotter ( B. C.) who are all 4- 5.
The Brier final is scheduled for Sunday.