(by Jason Simmonds)
SUMMERSIDE – It was a day of redemption for Mike McEwen and his Winnipeg rink at the Capital One Grand Slam of Curling Sun Life Financial Players’ Championship on Thursday.
After going 0-2 (won-lost) on Wednesday, McEwen rebounded with wins of 4-3 over Winnipeg’s Jeff Stoughton, and a 7-6 extra-end win over Brad Gushue of St. John’s, N.L.
Jason Simmonds/Journal Pioneer
Mike McEwen gathers his thoughts during Thursday night’s game against Brad Gushue at the Capital One Grand Slam of Curling Sun Life Financial Players’ Championship in Summerside.
“We had to dig deep today (Thursday),” said McEwen. “The curling gods were not shining on us yesterday (Wednesday), and we probably deserved a better fate than 0-2.”
Still undefeated
Edmonton’s Kevin Martin defeated Gushue 4-2 and the Niklas Edin rink of Sweden 6-4 to remain the only undefeated men’s team at 4-0.
Toronto’s John Epping, who is seeded eighth in the eight-team field, and Glenn Howard of Coldwater, Ont., are tied for second at 3-1. Epping defeated Howard 6-3, and then drew to the four-foot to get by Edmonton’s Kevin Koe 7-6 in an extra end.
Howard rebounded from the early-afternoon loss to beat Stoughton 6-4 in the evening.
The men’s round robin will conclude with three draws on Friday. If needed, tiebreakers will be played Saturday morning.
The men’s semifinals are Saturday night, and the final is Sunday at 1 p.m.