NWT’s Koe leads pack at mid-point

Monday February 8, 2010

By Tom Patrick

Midway through the double round robin of the Territorial Men’s Curling Championships, it’s still anyone’s game.

In the battle for the one territorial spot at this year’s Tim Hortons Brier, NWT 2, Team Koe, is in front with an undefeated 3-0 record.

“Our first two games we got some good breaks and we able to finish them out pretty early,” said Team Koe skip Jamie Koe. “(Sunday night’s) game was a real tight battle and we played our best by far. But we
squeaked it out, so I guess that’s all that matters.”

Yukon 1, Team Cowan, is next in line with a 2-1 record, taking two wins over Yukon 2, Team Solberg, who are in last with a 0-3 record.

NWT 1, Team Skauge, who earned NWT’s top seed in a tie-breaking closest-to-the-button contest against Team Koe in Yellowknife, is in third with a 1-2 record.

Play wrapped up Sunday evening with both territories’ rinks 1 and 2 playing each other for a second time in three matches.

After taking a 7-3 lead after five ends, Team Cowan held on for a 9-7 win over Team Solberg.

“Then we played clean and they kind of inched their way back into the game,” said Team Cowan skip Chad Cowan.

“I just needed it in the four-foot (ring) – as long as I could get anywhere in the four-foot with the draw, then we’d be happy,” said Cowan of possessing the hammer in the final end.

In a long but low-scoring contest, Team Koe defeated Team Skauge 5-4 in the extra end Sunday night.

Men’s play continues at the Whitehorse Curling Club Monday at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The final match is set to take place Tuesday 10 a.m., which will be followed by a tie-breaker at 3 p.m. if necessary.

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