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HOT START 鈥� Team Yukon skip Bob Smallwood calls to his sweepers while P.E.I. skip Adam Casey looks on during their pre-qualification game last night in Calgary, Alta. Photo courtesy of CURLING CANADA/MICHAEL BURNS
Yukon blows out P.E.I., loses to Nova Scotia
The Yukon started the 2015 Tim Hortons Brier with a bang, but a subsequent loss will have them scoreboard-watching this afternoon.
The Yukon started the 2015 Tim Hortons Brier with a bang, but a subsequent loss will have them scoreboard-watching this afternoon.
Bob Smallwood鈥檚 rink hammered Adam Casey鈥檚 Prince Edward Island squad 8-1 last night to open play in the three-team pre-qualification round at the Saddledome in Calgary, Alta.
But the 41-year-old Whitehorse skip couldn鈥檛 rekindle the magic he showed against P.E.I. against Nova Scotia鈥檚 Glen MacLeod this morning, losing 9-5.
With the game tied 5-5 after five ends, Smallwood didn鈥檛 score again while giving up four points via steals.
Nova Scotia will face P.E.I. in the final round robin game this afternoon.
Smallwood, along with teammates Wade Scoffin, alternate Scott Odian playing for Steve Fecteau, and Clint Ireland, could not capitalize.
鈥淲e tried too hard,鈥濃�圫mallwood said. 鈥淒idn鈥檛 play the game we wanted to and ended up getting caught. It鈥檚 out of our hands now because I messed up on the draw to the button for the last stone draw. If it comes down to a three-way tie, we鈥檙e probably out.鈥�
If P.E.I. beats Nova Scotia today, the top two teams will be determined by results of pre-game draws to the button. In that scenario, a poor draw by the Yukon prior to their game against Nova Scotia could spell the end of the territory鈥檚 Brier run.
Last night, Smallwood and company were lights out against Casey and his fatigued P.E.I. rink.
The Yukon jumped out to a 4-0 lead after two ends, and went on to score singles in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh ends before handshakes.
鈥淚t relieves a little bit of pressure, getting that first win,鈥濃�圫mallwood said.
Casey鈥檚 teammates didn鈥檛 arrive in Calgary until yesterday due to flight problems out of P.E.I.
鈥淚 came out and struggled a bit, so I鈥檒l take the blame,鈥� said Casey, who played for Newfoundland skip Brad Gushue the past three seasons.
The top two teams after the pre-qualification round robin will square off one last time in a play-in game Saturday, with the winner earning the final berth in the 12-team draw.
With files by Curling Canada
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