P.E.I. and Ontario teams stop play after five ends with Howard up 11-1

By Ed Klajman  

Special to The Guardian

LONDON, Ont. – It’s hard to imagine things getting any worse for Eddie MacKenzie and his PEI squad at the Brier.

They were not only crushed 11-1 by Glenn Howard and Team Ontario Wednesday afternoon, but by throwing in the towel after just five ends, they will be fined by the Canadian Curling Association for not completing the mandatory seven ends.

“The fine will be for an amount between $200 and $1,000,” said Warren Hansen, director of events and media for the Canadian Curling Association.

Hansen added that the specific amount will be determined after a full analysis of the situation is completed, and that MacKenzie will be notified with a letter in the mail, which will be sent sometime in the next month.

The trouble began shortly after the final shot of the fifth end, when MacKenzie’s draw against three Howard stones sailed through the house. With the P.E.I. skip facing an insurmountable deficit, MacKenzie approached the game’s umpire and had a brief exchange, indicating that his team had suffered enough and there was no need to continue with the game.

“We (MacKenzie and the umpire) had a quick talk there and we’ll see what happens over it. It was just time to pack it in. I just felt we should have a little break there,” said the Charlottetown accountant, who is a father of two. “I’m not too worried about it (the fine). I’m sure it’s not going to be anything too extravagant but I guess we’ll find out about it.”

MacKenzie added that he doesn’t think the fine is fair. 

“There’s three other games. I can see if it’s the semifinal or if there was only one game on the ice or something like that but when you have four games going it’s not overly necessary.” 

Howard strongly agreed, saying his squad would split the cost of whatever fine the P.E.I. team is assessed.

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 The Canadian Press

P.E.I. skip Eddie MacKenzie watches a shot during Wednesday’s game against Ontario at the Brier in London, Ont. Canadian Press photo