(by Jonathan Brazeau)
SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Hold off on that retirement, Kevin Martin.
The Edmonton skip, who announced he will retire after the Players’ Championship, defeated Toronto’s John Epping 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the season-ending Grand Slam of Curling event.
Martin trailed 4-3 and rallied to score a double in the seventh and sealed the win with a steal of one in final end when Epping couldn’t grab shot rock with his final stone.
Team Martin will take on Winnipeg’s Mike McEwen in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, Kevin Koe’s team said its final farewell after they were eliminated following a 7-6 loss to Olympic champion Brad Jacobs in the other quarterfinal matchup.
Koe will skip a new team in the fall featuring Brent Laing, Marc Kennedy and Ben Hebert. Nolan Thiessen, Carter Rycroft and Pat Simmons will stick together and search for a new skip.