(By Ron Rauch, Postmedia News) VICTORIA — There was no stopping the Big Green Machine from Ontario at the Victoria Curling Classic.
Glenn Howard, third Richard Hart, second Brent Laing and lead Craig Savill of Coldwater, Ont., won six straight games to claim the first prize of $22,000.
In the women’s final, Jennifer Jones of Winnipeg used two big ends en route to an 8-2 win over Shannon Kleibrink from Calgary.
Howard reached the final with an 8-2 victory over Brad Gushue of St. John’s. Gushue used the classic to audition Geoff Walker of Grande Prairie, Alta., and Adam Casey from Prince Edward Island.
Gushue, the 2006 Olympic gold medallist, said he was happy with the team’s performance. Ryan Fry is the only team member remaining from the squad that went to the 2011 Brier and finished third.
“We came here with a new team and lost the semifinal in a very good field,” Gushue said. “I’m happy with what I saw this weekend. Geoff and Adam will be moving to St. John’s next year and that will be our team.”
Click for full story at the Victoria Times Colonist.
Skip Glenn Howard throws a rock against Mike McEwen during the Victoria Curling Classic at the Archie Browning Sports Centre in Victoria, B.C. April 1, 2011.
Photograph by: Darren Stone, Victoria Times Colonist