After securing a provincial title with a three-man lineup, the members of Workforce Glenn Howard shall be Regina-bound in a few month to play within the Montana’s Brier.
What stays unsure is whether or not the short-handed crew will add a participant — and in that case, who — for the Canadian males’s curling championship.
Howard’s standing stays unsure on account of lingering ache in his surgically repaired left knee. Son Scott Howard skipped the crew to victory ultimately week’s Ontario playdowns and can probably throw final stone once more on the March 1-10 nationals at Brandt Centre.
The elder Howard served as a coach final week within the London, Ont., suburb of Dorchester. He hasn’t performed a aggressive sport in nearly two months and stays out indefinitely.
Scott ran the desk in his place and made a draw to the button for an 8-7 extra-end win over Jayden King within the closing.
“One of the best half is I felt so assured,” Scott mentioned Monday. “I felt snug really the entire week skipping and having that final rock.”
Doable additions
The youthful Howard often performs third however has skipped every now and then through the years. He additionally guided the crew to victory at a bonspiel final month in Penticton, B.C., when Glenn’s knee “seized up” halfway by means of the occasion.
The Penetanguishene, Ont.,-based aspect, which additionally consists of lead Tim March and second David Mathers, doesn’t use a daily fifth participant. Adam Spencer and Wayne Middaugh have served as crew alternates every now and then previously.
If the crew decides so as to add a participant, it might probably choose up anybody who performed within the Ontario championship or any free agent who hasn’t competed in one other provincial/territorial playdown this season, a Curling Canada spokesperson mentioned in an e-mail.
Three-man squads are used occasionally in crew curling however generally will be fairly efficient.
One of many extra notable examples got here in 2022 when Brad Gushue received the Brier with out vice Mark Nichols, who missed the ultimate weekend on account of a constructive COVID-19 take a look at.
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Nonetheless, the Brier is a 10-day competitors from begin to end. The bodily toll on a short-handed squad can be extra vital than at a shorter occasion like a provincial playdown or a Grand Slam.
Final week, March threw the primary three rocks of every finish for the crew earlier than sweeping the following 5. His physique “took a fairly large beating,” Scott mentioned, including that physiotherapy was wanted after each sport.
“It isn’t such as you get a break right here or there being the opposite-side sweeper,” Scott mentioned. “He is sweeping laborious each single rock … all through 10 ends, it is a daunting job for positive.”
Scotties draw launched
Defending champion Brad Gushue of St. John’s, N.L., Calgary’s Brendan Bottcher and Winnipeg’s Matt Dunstone are a number of the Brier headliners. The total 18-team discipline shall be finalized Feb. 11.
Additionally Monday, Curling Canada launched the draw for the Feb. 16-25 Scotties Match of Hearts in Calgary.
Canada skip Kerri Einarson, who’s aiming to win a report fifth straight Hearts crown, will open in opposition to Quebec’s Laurie St-Georges on the WinSport Occasion Centre.
Winnipeg’s Kate Cameron and Corryn Brown of Kamloops, B.C., rounded out the 18-team discipline primarily based on their positions within the Canadian rankings.
Winnipeg’s Jolene Campbell missed the cutline by simply 1.25 rating factors.
