The Tim Hortons Brier got underway in Regina, Saskatchewan on Friday. One of the more intriguing matchups was the Battle of Alberta between Drayton Valley’s Aaron Sluchinski and Calgary’s Kevin Koe. It was not the best curled game on either side, but at the end of the day, Sluchinski beat Koe 8-4.
The reason why Sluchinski won is because he made the fewer big mistakes. Sluchinski stole two points in the second end when Koe was heavy with his final draw. Then in the ninth and 10th ends, Sluchinski stole an additional three points when Koe was unsuccessful with his double takeouts.
A Koe was victorious on Friday. It was just Jamie Koe of the Northwest Territories, who beat Quebec 7-4. This game was evenly matched after the first seven ends as the game was tied at three. Then Jamie Koe dominated as he picked up two points in the eighth and 10th ends en route to a 7-4 win.
In other action, Canadian Olympic gold medalist Brad Gushue of St. John’s, Newfoundland’s Team Canada rink defeated Nova Scotia 7-4. In this game, Gushue had a fan removed in the ninth end who had been heckling. Meanwhile, Saskatchewan beat Prince Edward Island 7-6. Gushue won a gold medal for Canada at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin.
