(by T.J. Colello)
Final round robin draws today at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre, playoffs Saturday
SYDNEY — Kevin Koe continues to roll at The National in Port Hawkesbury.
Koe and his Calgary rink defeated 2006 Olympic gold medallist Brad Gushue of St. John’s, N.L. [whose team includes PEI natives Adam Casey and Brett Gallant], 7-3 in seven ends on Thursday in the fourth draw of the tournament. The win improved his record to 3-0.
Kevin Koe of Calgary throws a stone during Day 2 action at The National men’s curling tournament at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre. T.J. Colello – Cape Breton Post
Koe, with the hammer in the fifth end, made a double takeout to score three to go up 6-3 over Gushue, who fell to 1-2 at the event.
Gushue got into the win column Thursday afternoon by defeating Steve Laycock’s crew from Saskatoon, Sask., 7-4.
Koe is looking to win his second event on the Grand Slam of Curling tour, after winning The Masters in Brantford, Ont., in November. If he wins The National, he can move into the lead for the first-place Grand Slam of Curling bonus money of $50,000 over Glenn Howard of Coldwater, Ont. Howard won the Canadian Open last month in Kelowna, B.C.
Earlier in the day, Koe defeated Rob Rumfeldt of Guelph, Ont., 7-4. His foursome opened the tournament on Wednesday with a 6-5 extra-ends win over 2010 Olympic silver medallist Thomas Ulsrud of Norway.