There were 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams to start the Ontario Curling championships a week ago at the Cobourg Community Centre and now just two remain on each side.
Skip Chelsea Brandwood’s rink capped off a three-win Saturday with a 6-3 semifinal victory over Hailey Armstrong in the evening draw to advance to Sunday’s women’s final.
Brandwood emerged from the ‘C’ bracket for teams facing elimination after losing two games in the triple-knockout format. Earlier in the day, she defeated Isabelle Ladouceur 6-4 in the morning draw and earned a 9-7 victory in an extra end over Carly Howard in the afternoon to move on to face Armstrong, who was waiting for her opponent after losing the Page playoff 1 versus 2 game Friday evening.
The only rink standing in the way of Brandwood and her teammates earning a berth in the national Scotties Tournament of Hearts is defending Ontario champion Danielle Inglis. The women’s provincial final is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday.
On the men’s side, defending Ontario champion Scott Howard will aim to make a return trip to the Montana’s Brier, but first he will need to solve the undefeated Sam Mooibroek rink, which defeated his team in the 1 versus 2 Page game Friday night.
Saturday night, Howard fended off former Brier teammate Mark Kean 7-3 in the men’s semifinal. Kean won two games earlier in the day Saturday before suffering his third defeat of the tournament to be eliminated from the provincials.
Howard was Kean’s lead at the 2015 Brier. Saturday evening was the rubber match between the two this week after trading wins earlier in the tournament.
The Mooibroek-Howard men’s final is set for 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the CCC.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
