Prince Edward Island looking to get off to good start against Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador
Prince Edward Island will be up against some of the top men curlers in the world starting today in Edmonton.
The Eddie MacKenzie rink from the Charlottetown Curling Complex will carry the province’s hope at the Tim Hortons Brier, which runs until March 10. The heavyweights, including Glenn Howard (Ontario), Kevin Martin (Alberta), Jeff Stoughton (Manitoba) and Brad Gushue (Newfoundland and Labrador), are all in the 12-team national championship.
The Eddie MacKenzie rink won the 2013 provincial men’s curling championship Feb. 12 at the Crapaud Community Curling Club. From left are lead Sean Ledgerwood, second Alex MacFadyen, MacKenzie and third Anson Carmody.
“It’s an extremely talented field, but we know that we have four talented curlers as well,” second Alex MacFadyen said before departing for Edmonton. “We’re hoping that if we put our A game together that we’re going to be right up there.”
Canadian men’s curling championship began in 1927 and Prince Edward Island has never won it.
“The goal is obviously to make the playoffs,” MacFadyen said.
This will be MacKenzie third trip to nationals. His best finish is 2-9.
“It’d be nice to have a winning record,” MacKenzie told The Guardian.
That task starts today against Saskatchewan at 4:30 p.m. AT and against Newfoundland and Labrador at 9:30 p.m. AT.
“It would be nice to get off to a good start,” MacKenzie said. “I think it helps with morale and keeps everyone positive if you start playing well off the start.”