P.E.I. eliminated from Brier contention (Journal)

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Prince Edward Island will not be in the main Brier field for the first time since 1937. 

Prince Edward Island skip Eddie MacKenzie delivers a rock as teammates Matthew Nabuurs(left) and Robbie Doherty sweep during 2017 Brier pre-qualifying play at Mile One Centre. Keith Gosse/The Telegram

©Keith Gosse/The Telegram

The Eddie MacKenzie-skipped rink from the Charlottetown Curling Complex dropped a 10-1 eight-end decision to Nova Scotia on Friday to fall to 1-2 in the Tim Hortons Brier qualification tournament in St. John’s, N.L.

Against Nova Scotia’s Jamie Murphy, third Sean Ledgerwood set up the first end for MacKenzie with a great tap-back followed by a perfect come around. MacKenzie followed with two credible draws to force Nova Scotia to take one. 

Nova Scotia’s backend executed some great takeout shots in the second end to return the favour. With last rock, MacKenzie slid three feet too far on a draw against three, giving Nova Scotia a steal of two.

The Bluenosers again executed some great hits in the third, forcing MacKenzie to draw against three Nova Scotia stones. MacKenzie was a few inches short, giving Nova Scotia another steal to make the score 4-0. 

MacKenzie again had to draw against three Nova Scotia rocks in the fourth, but he was short to make the score 7-0 and a comeback unlikely. P.E.I., which included second Matthew Nabuurs and lead Robbie Doherty, scored one in the seventh end to get on the scoreboard. 

Nova Scotia picked up two in the eighth to make the final 10-1.

Prince Edward Island will be in the main field in 2018 as the relegation process will not be in place next year. 

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