(GSOC) The draws for the Players’ Championship Grand Slam of Curling event in Summerside have been announced and the speculation on which matchup will be the most entertaining begins. While the fans at Credit Union Place will be treated to many amazing battles on the ice, here are some of the highlights:
Tuesday, April 17 will feature the first taste of championship curling PEI has seen since the 2011 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Manitoba’s Jennifer Jones will lead the charge in a battle against Saskatchewan’s Stefanie Lawton at 7pm. Also on the ice will be Alberta’s Heather Nedohin, the reigning Scotties champ, and Scotland’s superstar Eve Muirhead.
Wayne Middaugh, Glenn Howard and Craig Savill celebrate after Howard’s winning last rock draw at the Men’s World Curling Championships in Basel, Switzerland on Sunday evening. (Photo Michael Burns)
Wednesday, April 18 will introduce the men’s teams to the tournament including a battle for Alberta supremacy as Kevin Koe battles Kevin Martin in the 4pm draw. Fans attending the 7:30pm draw will witness Manitoba’s Mike McEwen and reigning World Champion Glenn Howard as they contend for the lead in the CTRS point’s race and a berth in the Olympic trials.
Thursday, April 19 will open with an international matchup as Eve Muirhead takes on Switzerland’s Silvana Tirinzoni at 8:30am. The spotlight shines on Manitoba at 12pm as Mike McEwen battles provincial rival Jeff Stoughton, who will introduce new lead Mark Nichols to their rink.
Friday, April 20 belongs to Ontario’s Glenn Howard as he battles Swedish foe Niklas Edin at 8:30am, long-time rival Kevin Martin at 3:30pm and, in a rematch from the Brier finals, Kevin Koe and his Alberta rink at 7:30pm. The women’s matchup of the day will feature Jennifer Jones and former teammate Cathy Overton-Clapham as they thrill PEI fans once again at 12pm.
The playoffs begin Saturday and both the women’s and men’s finals will be broadcast nationwide on Global Television at 1pm Saturday and Sunday, respectively.