ISLANDERS ON FIRE

Team P.E.I. making believers of fans at Montana’s Brier

A team from Prince Edwards Island has never won the Canadian men’s curling championship.

Tyler Smith doesn’t care about history. The skip of Team Prince Edward Island (3-1, Crapaud) is too worried about winning games at the Montana’s Brier, presented by AGI, in Regina to think about being the first at anything.

And win games he has been doing with his team, including vice-skip Adam Cocks, second Christopher Gallant, lead Ed White, and coach Paul Flemming.

The Islanders stayed in the hunt for one of three playoff spots in Pool B, knocking off Team Alberta-Sluchinski (2-2, Airdrie), skipped by Aaron Sluchinski, 8-5 Monday evening at the Brandt Centre.

Smith has been a major surprise at the Montana’s Brier, presented by AGI. This is his third trip to the Canadian men’s curling championship, but he only graduated from the junior ranks after the 2020-21 season. So, in some respects, he’s still a work in progress.

But he’s not playing like it. Last year in London, Ont., he finished with a record of 2-6. In Regina he’s been a shot-making machine, and proved it again by taking out the Alberta champions. Smith shot an eye-popping 96 per cent against Team Alberta-Sluchinski, while the team checked in at 87 per cent.

Those are big numbers and why curling followers are taking Team Smith seriously. 

The win moved Team Prince Edward Island into a second-place tie with Team Saskatchewan (3-1, Saskatoon) skipped by Mike McEwen.

“But 3-1 puts us in a real good position, a situation we’re never been in before,” said Smith.  “We’re enjoying it, having fun. Representing P.E.I. is always a blast so just doing what we can do.

“Just one of those games where I felt comfortable with my game, comfortable with the rocks, was dialled in,” added Smith. “I knew it was a big game. This game may have been a little more importance later on in the week if it comes down to a tie.”

The major focus of the night, though, was a couple of sheets over where Team Canada and Team Alberta-Koe were butting heads, and fighting for their lives.

The decision went to skip Brad Gushue and Team Canada (3-2, St. John’s) who took out old nemesis Team Alberta-Koe (1-4, Calgary), skipped by Kevin Koe.

“Much better performance tonight,” said Gushue. “I thought we played much more like we normally do. It’s taken us some time to really get used to the ice and the rocks and just the feeling. It’s been a little different every game and we’ve been struggling with it, and not feeling comfortable.”

Koe, a four-time Canadian and two-time world winner, will now have to hope for a minor miracle to make the playoffs.

“I have no idea (about playoffs). I doubt it,” he said. “But we’ll come strong. We’re a better team than we’ve shown so that’ll be the goal from here on in.”  

Skip Matthew Manuel’s Team Nova Scotia (2-3, Halifax) had a two-win day to stay alive. The Bluenosers handed Team Saskatchewan its first defeat of the week, posting a 7-4 victory.

Meanwhile, Team Northwest Territories (4-1, Yellowknife), skipped by Jamie Koe, took over first place after rolling to a 9-2 victory over Team Nunavut (0-4, Iqaluit), skipped by Shane Latimer.

Team Quebec (2-2, Etchemin/Kenogami/Chicoutimi/Victoria), skipped by Julien Tremblay, had the Pool B bye.

Team P.E.I. and Team Quebec will be the feature match Tuesday on TSN on the afternoon draw.

The winner on March 10 will represent Canada at the men’s world championship, March 30 to April 7, in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.

The 2024 Montana’s Brier continues Tuesday with draws at 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. (all times Central).

Live scoring, standings and statistics for the 2024 Montana’s Brier are available at www.curling.ca/scoreboard/

TSN and RDS will provide complete coverage of the 2024 Montana’s Brier. CLICK HERE for the complete schedule. Live coverage is also available for international streaming on TSN’s YouTube channel.

This story will be available in French as soon as possible at https://www.curling.ca/?lang=fr