(by Larry Wood). The Tim Hortons Brier form chart is beginning to run true to form. The two former champions in the field — Alberta’s Kevin Koe (2010) and Ontario’s Glenn Howard (2007) — headed into their last four round-robin assignments today and Thursday with 6-and-1 records.
If there’s been a difference during their respective first seven games, it’s the manner in which their victories have rolled out.
Koe has admitted his opponents applied limited pressure as he won six. By comparison, Howard finally won a relatively simple one on Tuesday night — 8-4 over Manitoba’s Rob Fowler — after four consecutive extra-end nailbiters.
Alberta’s Koe, with Pat Simmons, Carter Rycoft and Nolan Thiessen, was the last to lose his unbeaten status when Northern Ontario’s Brad Jacobs hung up a 7-6 last-rock verdict on Tuesday afternoon.
Howard, with Wayne Middaugh, Brent Laing and Craig Savill, won twice, earlier slipping past Saskatchewan’s Scott Manners 7-5 with a deuce in overtime. It was Howard’s record 175th Brier game, surpassing the 174-game log previously recorded by his brother Russ.
In the nightcap, Howard was leading 2-1 in the fifth when Fowler tossed a light draw and enabled Ontario to steal a killer three.
“I don’t know what happened,” said Howard. “I wasn’t paying attention and I heard Rob yell and he came up light and we stole three. I was shocked. He makes that and we go 2-2 at the half and probably another barnburner that goes 11 ends. We got lucky there.” The game was done in nine panels.
Howard plays B.C. and P.E.I. today.
Jamie Koe, with Tyler MacKenzie and Mike Gaudet in the background.
(CCA/Michael Burns Photography photo)
Koe’s brother Jamie, steering the Territories crew from Yellowknife, faltered in his quest to stay with the leaders Tuesday night when he was bounced 9-6 by the lowly Prince Edward Islanders skipped by Mike Gaudet.
The victory for Gaudet was his second of the day, also the tournament.
“That’s the first time we’ve accomplished that, two straight,” allowed Gaudet. “I think if we play solid as a team we can get better no matter who we’re playing. I definitely enjoy playing the toughest teams and putting in a solid effort. Everyone picked up everyone else when we needed it.”
The Koe brothers face off this morning at 8:30 CT.