In a dominant performance of curling, Ontario’s Mike McEwen won his first game at the 2023 Tim Hortons Brier in London, Ontario by a score of 13-2 over Quebec. This was McEwen’s first time skipping Ontario, as he has represented Manitoba or the Wildcard team at seven consecutive Canadian National Men’s Curling Championships from 2016 to 2022.
McEwen’s Team Ontario squad that included third Ryan Fry of Pickering, Ontario, second Brent Laing of Meaford, Ontario, and lead Richard Hart of Pickering, stole nine points in two ends. After taking a 4-1 lead at the halfway mark, McEwen stole four points in the sixth end and then five points in the seventh end.
The two Alberta-based wildcard teams also won in convincing fashion. The Wildcard One team skipped by 2021 Brier champion Brendan Bottcher of Sherwood Park, Alberta beat Prince Edward Island’s Tyler Smith 8-2. The Wildcard Three team skipped by Karsten Sturmay of Leduc, Alberta beat New Brunswick’s Scott Jones 7-3.
There was a bizarre situation in the Wildcard Three game against New Brunswick to start the game. Initially the Wildcard team was awarded the hammer in the first end because it was determined by an official that their rock was closest to the button. The game started, but while third stones were thrown, the official came out and ordered the first end to be replayed because an error was made. New Brunswick had the hammer, but Sturmay stole two points.
The other game saw Team Canada beat British Columbia 6-5. The Team Canada skip was Brad Gushue of St. John’s, Newfoundland, who won the gold medal in men’s curling at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin.
