PEI’s Mel Bernard rink from the Summerside branch of the Royal Canadian Legion had the opening round bye at the Dominion Legion Curling Championships at the Western Community Curling Club in Alberton, but came out strong in draw two with an 8-3 victory over the Rick Cook Stephenville Branch #35 team from Newfoundland and Labrador, trailing 3-2 after five ends, but coming out strong in the second half with a deuce in the sixth end, stolen singles in seven and eight, and capping it off with another stolen pair in the ninth.

 Eldon Doucette (left), Legion Provincial Command Sports Chair, presents the PEI Legion Championship winner’s trophy to (L to R) skip  Mel Bernard,  Blair Jay, Lou Nowlan and Earl Proude (Photo courtesy of albertoncurlingclub.ca)

The PEI squad, which includes third  Blair Jay, second stone Lou Nowlan, and lead Earl Proude, are also PEI’s Masters (age 60 and over) champs. They play Saskatchewan in the 10 am Monday draw, and Quebec at 3 pm. The event continues through Wednesday.

After opening day play, PEI and Nova Scotia/Nunavut (Steve Elder) are both 1-0, while Manitoba/Western Ont. (Blair Goethals), who recorded big wins today — 10-3 over Newfoundland and Labrador, and 9-1 over Sask. is at 2-0. Elder won his game, over Quebec, by a 9-2 score. Quebec and Sask. are 1-1, while BC/Yukon and Nfld. and Labrador are 0-2.

Live results and full draw and team rosters are available at PEICurling.com/legio