Manitoba Curling - The Best Damn Curling Blog, Period!

How do you like that? I'll be curling again

2009-07-30T19:18:00.001-05:00

After meeting with Kelly Lauber and Shane Halliburton last night, I'm pleased to say that I'll be curling competitively again this coming season.

We're actively looking for a second, so if you know someone, we're all ears.

Stay tuned for more updates in the weeks ahead.

Cheers!

Will I play competitive again?

2008-01-31T21:32:00.000-06:00

I start with an apology for my lack of posts here.

It's hard to be inspired to post when you are not playing competitively.

It's been an odd season. We entered the Zones, lost our first game to Bob Sigurdson in an extra end by an inch, lost our second game to eventual finallist Les Hooper after our third blew out his knee, and that was that.

I entered the MCA as a fifth with Bob Sigurdson, but only to play if they were bumped into the minors. That never happened and they earned a trip to Brandon and the provincials. I won't be going, however, as they decided not to name me as a fifth on their roster. I wasn't expecting them to, so no real loss.

So here we are again. I must begin the painful process of trying to latch on with a competitive team for the third season in a row.

I've discovered one thing in sparing as a front-ender... I much prefer playing third. I'm more engaged watching line on skip's rocks, strategizing and throwing more hits during the game.

If I don't get picked up next season I may re-examine the whole "competitive" thing. We'll see how things go.

I like Stewie

2007-12-21T20:01:00.000-06:00

Check out my new mascot:

Back in action

2007-10-10T20:15:00.000-05:00

I'm pleased to say I started the curling season off on a winning note last night.

Playing lead with Gary Gumprich at the Granite's Tuesday night league, I eventually found my ice legs again and played decent for the first outing.

We took the game against Johnson 5-3 in eight ends.

We were on the end sheet (number nine, number nine) but the ice was fairly consistent.

Of note, the Granite Curling Club installed CCTV cameras over the far houses, linking back to flat screens in the viewing areas behind the glass. This is brilliant! Now people can see what's going on during end-sheet play, which was normally blocked by the odd angles on the ends.

I'm scheduled to play in the Beausejour MCT event this weekend, so expect more reports as we move through the event.

Cheers!

Which city is this?

2007-08-21T19:48:00.001-05:00

If you've been taking the same route to work every day for 12 years, and are tired of seeing the seedier side of the city, check out these shots...

That's right... these are a couple of views of downtown Winnipeg that you rarely see.

After a humid storm passed through the area, a mist hangs in the air over the Assiniboine River, the calm only broken by a tourist boat making its way through the greenery.

This was the scenario this evening after dinner, when I happened to glance outside and notice the stunning visuals happening without much fanfare.

The first photo faces northwest from Wellington Crescent, and you can make out the Stadium complex off in the distance.

The second photo looks northeast, with landmarks likes the Investors Group building clearly visible.

It truly looks like another city from this vantage point, and it reminds us that there is beauty afoot, if you care to look from a new perspective once in a while.

Cheers!

Curling season three months away

2007-05-31T14:28:00.000-05:00

I realize it's hard to think about the coming curling season when we're teetering on the brink of summer, but that's the sad reality when you are looking to pick up with a competitive team.

Because I've been swamped running the internet media company, I've had no time to seek out a team to play with next season.

Certainly, if you're on a competitive team and you are looking for a committed player looking to practise daily during the season, you should send me an email.

New real-time Winnipeg news service launches

2007-03-24T16:14:00.000-05:00

WinnipegFIRST.ca has launched!

After months of research, programming, planning, hiring and training, our new internet media product is up and running.

I had to resign my post at the MCA as Regional Director, as I've been working hundreds of hours per week...

Monday is the day the billboard hits, the print ads begin in the Winnipeg Sun and the radio ads start on Hot103.

Hope you check out the site!

It's been a while

2007-02-20T11:00:00.000-06:00

I've been workin 12-16 hour days setting up my internet media company, and have been neglecting this blog during the height of the provincial competitive season.

I apologize... but it was a necessary withdrawal.

In the meantime, I need to test various upload methods through YouTube, so here's one of my few decent shots against Murray Woodward in the Zone 3 game last month.

DeFoort almost pulls it off

2007-01-13T20:28:00.000-06:00

Team DeFoort was down one without coming home in 10 against Stoughton and were unable to tie. Still, it's a great run and a valiant effort against one of the top teams in the province. Kudos.

Update of City Zone play

2007-01-13T18:39:00.000-06:00

Here's the first major shocker of the City Zones... Kerry Burtnyk losing the B-side semi-final in Zone 15 to Eugene Desjarlais! While Kerry still has a leg in the final by winning the A-side, it's still a stunner. And their final score was something else... 12-11!

My former Team Gromnisky mates are currently playing Jeff Stoughton in the Zone 16 B-Side semi... Go Team DeFoort!

My other former team, Bob Sigurdson, has a berth in the A-B final, and is playing in the B-side semi as we speak.

I'll update as results come in.

Cheers!

Woody had our number

2007-01-13T18:30:00.000-06:00

After going 4-0 against Murray Woodward since 2001, we ran up against a brick wall this weekend.

He clobbered us 9-4 in our first game of the Zone 2 Play Downs in Ste. Anne Friday night, and then finished us off this morning 6-0 in eight ends after we couldn't get rid of the hammer. (We blanked 1, 5, 6 and 7, and couldn't set up a big score all game.)

We managed to win our second game Friday night against Gary Barkman, 8-2, with a strong showing. We just couldn't recapture that grasp of the ice this morning. After giving up a steal of three in the second end, we killed ourselves again in the third end, and it was over... We were killed by a thousand cuts after that, playing eight excruciating ends to no avail. It was one of the most frustrating games in my curling career.

The ice in Ste. Anne was fantastic as promised by organizers, so that was no excuse.

I played in a mixed game at West Kildonan after getting home from Ste. Anne, and the ice was VERY good! (Hard to believe, given the conditions in recent years). Joe's got it dialed up for the MCA Bonspiel which starts Thursday night.

We play at West St. Paul Thursday at 9 p.m. and then at Charleswood at noon Friday.

Following the City Zones

2007-01-12T11:04:00.000-06:00

Having a look at the results from the City Zones, and we see some interesting story lines developing.

Zone 15
Kerry Burtnyk advances by downing Carl German/Doug Harrison 8-4. They should walk through this Zone, given their level of play of late.

Zone 16
My buddies from Team Gromnisky, now playing with Jay DeFoort, ran into a hot Mike Mahon squad last night and find themselves waiting for the winner of Dave Smith and Joel Newbury in the B-side to see who will play Jeff Stoughton in the crossover game. It's Mahon and Stoughton in the marquee game of the A-side at sheet 1 of West St. Paul tonight at 9:15 p.m. Jeff's played the end sheet at Elmwood, the end sheet at West St. Paul, and he gets another end sheet tonight. It doesn't seem to be bothering him, though, as he's dominated so far. The big story of last night was Team Stoughton scoring a big seven ender in the seventh end against Troy Hamilton. I wonder how close they got to an eight-ender?

Zone 17
After a squeaker of a win in their first game against Arnold Asham, Randy Dutiaume's squad is on a roll. They blanked a talented Craig Strand team 8-0 last night to advance. They have to be the favourites here.

Zone 18
This one's wide open, with Vic Peters dropping out because of injury, it's anyone's Zone to win. And there are several game contenders. The other seed, David Bohn, is certainly capable, as are Rob Cosens and Jim Kirkness. I'd like to see Cosens make a run here.

Zone 19
The key match-up tonight is James Kirkness vs. William Kuran. Can Kuran finally shake the monkey off of his back and win a Select spot? With the way the draw was made, this could still be a preview of the final. It would be great to see.

Zone 20
It's a similar situation in this zone, with Mike McEwen and Dean Dunstone facing off tonight in a possible final preview. Hard to know how it will go, but I'm picking Dunstone to edge out a victory.

Zone 21
With Chris Galbraith getting bumped into the B-side last night by Jamie Hay, it's wide open for my pal from the Granite, Bob Sigurdson. Don't count Galbraith out just yet, though, as he's been known to find another gear in the B-side rush.

Good curling, everyone!

It's Zone 2 Eve

2007-01-11T23:41:00.000-06:00

Here we are, hours before our first game in Zone 2 as we will face Murray Woodward in our quest to ride the underdog title all the way to Dauphin.

It's been two years since I've played in a Zone play down. My last game was the A-B Final with Team Gromnisky vs. Bob Sigurdson. We got our lunches handed to us on a hospital cafeteria tray after we didn't respond well to the ice breaking down quicker than.... uhm... Vanilla Ice's career. (It's the only other ice reference I could think of.)

After two consecutive years of daily practice and several delivery analysis sessions with High Performance Centre coaches, I feel a calmness going into our first day of war at Ste. Anne. In a strange bit of scheduling, all eight teams vying for the Zone spot will have to play back-to-back games Friday night... two 10-end tilts in a row. Whoever actually wins this thing will have earned it, that's certain.

I remember this time in 2005 like it was a few weeks ago. I was uptight going into the final game and over thinking the situation. Tonight, I'm thinking about showing up to the rink in Ste. Anne, stretching, and letting it all happen on the ice. Either way, I'm going to have a blast because I love to compete, and because I know I've worked hard to maximize our opportunities as a team.

For our competitors, I hope for excellent ice conditions and a pick-free match.

For Team Ryall, I wish for potential realized and hundreds of laughs.

Cheers!

Last ditch attempt for an angle raise just misses

2007-01-09T15:53:00.000-06:00

Lorne's last-rock heroics are not to be as our angle raise attempt over curls and Ken Ans wins the Whitemouth Bonspiel 5-4. It was a great tune-up event.

Lorne covers the pin but we're wide open

2007-01-09T15:39:00.000-06:00

Lorne brings beauty draw weight to his final shot in the sixth end against Ken Ans in the Whitemouth Bonspiel final, but it sits in the open allowing Ans to bump it out for two with his last rock.

First draw in eight crashes like a two-year-old on Red Bull

2007-01-09T13:39:00.000-06:00

I have perfect draw weight but it catches the swoop and my first shot in the eighth end of the Whitemouth Final crashes and burns.

Steiner makes a great runback

2007-01-09T13:21:00.000-06:00

Paul Steiner makes an excellent runback in the eighth end of the Whitemouth Final, giving us a chance for a steal.

My raise double in eight is a little light

2007-01-09T13:00:00.000-06:00

I didn't bring enough mustard with this pivotal raise double attempt in the eighth end of the Whitemouth Final on Jan. 7, 2007.

Settling for the peel

2007-01-08T17:29:00.000-06:00

I attempt a tight bumper-weight hit in the seventh end of the A Final in Whitemouth, and settle for a guard peel out front.

Whitemouth tune-up a success

2007-01-08T17:17:00.000-06:00

We were unable to get into the La Salle spiel over the weekend, so we headed northeast to take part in the Whitemouth event.

The ice at this out-of-the-way three- sheeter was soft and flat for our first game Friday night, but was much better Saturday and very good Sunday.

We lost a tight one to Ken Ans in the A Final Sunday afternoon, 5-4 in eight ends, and learned a few things as we worked to prepare for the Zone 2 play downs this coming weekend in Ste. Anne.

Lorne and I got picked up by Paul Steiner, who we've played with in the past, and his pal Jerry, also from Whitemouth. We gelled quickly and put up respectable numbers.

I struggled a bit with the older-style flat hacks, as I've become spoiled by the Marco hacks that provide more of a starter's block feel. Nonetheless, we acquired valuable game experience together and we have our work defined for us as we practise this week.

Here's the first of several clips shot by my wife of action from Whitemouth. It's the TSN Turning Point, if you will: our attempt at a hit through a port for four in the seventh end that would have sealed the game. It over curls and we settle for one.

I feel like Eric Lindros

2007-01-03T13:28:00.000-06:00

OK. When I say I feel like Eric Lindros, I'm referring to what he felt like after his face ran into Scott Stevens' shoulder a few years back.

Thanks to a wicked sinus flare up and the associative medication needed to quell the pain, I was not exactly "on" last night in our Asham Major League game against the Barb Spencer squad. While we managed a 6-6 draw, we were sloppier than Ozzy Osbourne at a song bird buffet. It was like I was hitting the ice for the first time, as I didn't find my frozen sea legs at all.

Speaking of the ice, it was straighter than the drive from Winnipeg to Brandon... negative ice for outside in draws on both sides! And, if you threw anything above control takeout weight, you were doomed to heck for all curling eternity (or at least until Zones).

Kristin Loder was dialed in, though, earning player of the game honours from our team. Barb Spencer was unable to make the contest because of poor road conditions which was a shame because she's been playing very well of late.

THIS AND THAT: I really miss my daily practice sessions, as the Granite is playing host to the Master's Men's Zone playdowns this week and the storied nine-sheeter was closed during the Christmas break... It appears Lorne has successfully rounded out our squad with two sharp-shooters, so we'll be entering the Rural Zone 2 playdowns which run Jan. 12 to 14 in Ste. Anne. It's going to be a very tough go this year with Reid Carruthers, Murray Woodward, Wilf Peters and Gary Barkman signed on so far... During an excellent practice session before the Christmas break, I made a cute half-rock raise double to score three against myself that caused me to perform a quick fist-pump. OK, that's mildly embarrassing but no one was there to see it and it was one of my better called shots of the year...Finally, watch this space for a piece I've been chewing on for some time: The 10 Commandments of Curling.

Thanks for participating!

New Year's diversion

2006-12-30T23:51:00.000-06:00

OK. This has nothing to do with curling at all.

As you've no doubt noticed, I've taken a little break from the blog during the holidays. I'll be back posting in earnest come Tuesday night.

To take you through, here's a little something I found on You Tube.

The sound is terrible, the video shaky, but it's a stunning clip of Stewart Copeland proving he still has the chops after all of these years... What could have been without the egos to break up the Police...

Enjoy!

Interview with Randy Neufeld posted

2006-12-20T16:39:00.000-06:00

I finally figured out how to upload my podcasts to a third party server, so here's my first demo.

It's my short interview with Randy Neufeld after he downed Richard Muntain in the final of the Thistle Integrity Stakes played recently at the Asham Arena.

Podcast

Thanks for participating.

Back in action

2006-12-19T22:41:00.000-06:00

It was nice to head back to the ice tonight and play in a meaningful game.

We were up against Dave Smith in our Asham Major League tilt, and we were in a great match. We were down one without coming home, and Smith had to make a tricky pick-out takeout to seal it with his last rock.

Derek was unable to make it, so we had to go with three, and we held up pretty well.

Lorne and I are working on lining up two players to enter the rural zones out of Beausejour, so we're hoping to secure our line up for that shortly.

We're both itchin' to play in zones and the MCA Bonspiel, so we'll do what we can to make it work.

RANDOM THOUGHTS TIME: The music was a bit loud on sheet 1 at Asham Arena tonight, as we were right by the right speaker, but it's still cool to have music going while you curl as it seems to take the edge off... Congrats to Team Carruthers for the excellent run in the Canada Cup qualifier. With a better draw, they would have qualified for sure, but running into a hot Martin was a tough break. It's inspiring to see a fellow Major League squad (admittedly, a much BETTER Asham Major League squad) break through in the Slam scene... Speaking of breakthroughs, hats off to the Karen Porritt team for qualifying for the Canada Cup - practice and hard work really do pay off... Here's a stat for you to consider: Don Spriggs is getting ready to play in his 20th provincial playdown! I'm scratching and biting to get to my first! Tremendous, tremendous career, and the only thing that would make it better would be a trip to the Brier... I've been throwing 42 to 50 rocks per practice session over the past two weeks, and it seems to make a difference with muscle memory and control. It also helps the confidence to throw 12 consecutive tee line draws in practice... Speaking of practice, I was chatting with Steve Gould last week before he headed west with Team Stoughton to make it to the semis of the Canada Cup qualifier. He was saying how he's probably thrown 50 rocks a day for 18 years! That's dedication, and it shows in his consistent play... I'm very impressed with the new president of the MCA, Mitch Tarapasky. As this is my first full year as a regional director for the MCA, it's my first time through the meeting and email loop. Mitch really cuts to the chase while understanding the need for clubs to secure a stable future. I'm looking forward to many positive changes in the months ahead.

Cheers, and thanks for reading!

Seeking event sponsorship

2006-12-13T15:41:00.000-06:00

If you or your company would be interested in sponsoring live blog coverage in Portage on the weekend, I'd like to hear from you. It’s not worth my while financially to provide full weekend coverage without a sponsor, so I’m trying to find someone to cover my expenses.

You would receive a full banner ad on the main page of the site, as well as a static graphic ad on every post.

Full banner sample:

Graphic ad sample:

There is no TV coverage planned for the event. The winner receives a berth into the provincial Safeway Selects.

It’s a focused demographic, and participants would see your ad every time I added a new update.

Foster wins, MCT finals two days away

2006-12-13T14:21:00.000-06:00

It's been a couple of days, and there have been several developments, so let's get at 'er!

FOSTER'S LAUDED: Kyle Foster, who almost hooked up with Team Bender at the start of the season, proved to be a gamer by downing Dave Boehmer Monday night in the Zone 3 final in Riverton. Very impressive result, Kyle! Having never been in the luxurious position of winning a zone and using the MCA Bonspiel as a tune up instead of a last-gasp attempt to grab a badge, I can only imagine the boost of confidence Kyle's team earned with the win.

NOT MUCH HOOPLA: The MCT Championships begin Friday at noon in Portage... were you aware of that? There have been few updates on the MCT website, no promotions of the event in Winnipeg, and little talk of coverage in the mainstream media. I realize that the MCT is working with a tight budget, but I'm thinking fans would want to know who is curling in Portage so they realize the level of play going on just down Hwy. 1. It would be fairly easy to grab a digital voice recorder, get a few quotes from the top-ranked teams, and post those on the website, as well as run a couple on OB as a promo. One of the big problems is moving this event into December - it gets lost among all of the other events this weekend. Having said that, I'm about to add the draw to the blog, so watch for that update this afternoon.

MEGA-PRACTICE AFTER POOR OUTING: I threw 64 rocks at practice today, partly as punishment for playing so poorly in last night's Asham Major League game against Doug Riach. Granted, I was fighting a migraine, and fought for my balance all night. However, that's no excuse for coming out with such nasty draw weight. A pick on Derek's last rock in the first end meant a five for Riach, and it was all but over right away. I see most of the same people at the Granite for noon-hour practice: Jeff Stoughton, Ryan Fry, Kerry Burtnyk, Dan Kammerlock, Cory Nahernie (occasionally), Winston Warren (he's there more than Tony, the ice maker), Doug Harrison, Bob Sigurdson, Karen Porritt and Janet Harvey, and that dude who looks like a professor with the throwing stick. Most people don't realize the amount of hours that the top teams are putting into their craft. All the public usually sees are these peeps arriving at the rink for the big game and kicking butt... And, this does not take into account the night practices that most of these teams add on to their noon regimen. I'm surely putting in the time and sweat, I'm just waiting for the rewards of team success.

Early December roundup

2006-12-11T13:46:00.000-06:00

It's time to have a quick look around the news as we enter the crazy season - zones and berth events at full speed.

FAMILIAR NAMES RETURN: Terry McNamee is heading back to the Safeway Selects after capturing the berth spot out of the Brandon spiel. His team edged Mike McEwen in the key game. Kyle Foster and Dave Boehmer play tonight in the A-B final of Zone 3 in Riverton. That should be an interesting game. So far there are only 22 teams entered into the MCT Championships in Portage, which starts Friday. As Chris Galbraith said on Curling Zone, it's hard to believe they are having to put the call out for teams in an event with a Select Spot on the line. As predicted in my previous post, Randy Neufeld won the final MCT event of the season in Morris with a dominant performance in the final. Congrats, Randy and good luck in Dauphin.

PRACTICE NETS RESULTS: I practised with intensity last week, and the results are coming. My Thursday session included an hour of work with Connie Laliberte, who closely scrutinized my delivery, keying on my release. After taking a lower body position and altering the timing of my release, I threw a bunch of rocks with positive outcomes. It was the first time I'd thrown 64 rocks in one practice in some time.

APPLE ROCKS: I picked up a new MacBook late last week, and the multimedia functionality on this thing is astounding. It's fast, easy and looks cool, to boot. I'll be tweaking it up this week in anticipation of my coverage of the MCT Championships in Portage, which is still to be confirmed.

More love from the Sun

2006-12-06T16:33:00.000-06:00

Thanks go out again to Jim Bender and his continued support of my blog.

Here's the latest from Jim in today's Biter section of his column:

BITER: Curlers are raving about the highlights of MCT games that competitive curler John White has started to show on a blog linked to the MCT website. In fact, MCT event co-ordinator Bob Picken even used it to get updates for his radio reports. The MCT may even engage White in an official capacity, at least by offering him an honorarium of sorts. "He needs to do a little better job of presenting it but if he comes to us for some support, we'd be glad to do it," Picken said. "But he hasn't approached us other than asking permission to do it."

I'll have to find out Bob's concerns over the "presentation" quality, but I'm all ears regarding any "official engagement" talks.

Stay tuned...

Hats off to Prokopowich

2006-12-05T10:27:00.000-06:00

You have to give props to Peter Prokopowich for going undefeated in Dauphin to capture the Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy cash spiel.

In fact, rural teams did very well out there, as they did at the Thistle event. Whoever said all of the great teams are found within the Perimeter Highway is not paying attention.

The next event is the Enns Brothers Classic in Morris, and Randy Neufeld has to be considered one the favourites, as he continues to roll towards his next Selects appearance.

I'll be attending the MCA Board of Directors meeting on Saturday, so I will not be covering the Morris event, but I'll look to return to live blog coverage of the MCT Championships in Portage, if all goes according to plan.

Thanks for participating!

Neufeld wins it

2006-12-03T19:17:00.000-06:00

After a simple takeout, Muntain's only shot was a scud missile up the middle, which drifted on him, so Neufeld takes the title and the $2,000 top prize.

Here's a quick post-game interview that I did with Randy after the win:
Link to interview

Muntain takes $1,200 as the runner up.

Muntain ticks the guard

2006-12-03T19:10:00.000-06:00

Neufeld may be in the clear, now, as Muntain just ticked the guard and rolled into the open.

Muntain needs to freeze to stay alive

2006-12-03T19:09:00.000-06:00

After a Neufeld takeout, Muntain needs to freeze shot rock on the back button to stay alive.

Muntain's running out of options

2006-12-03T19:05:00.000-06:00

Muntain is running out of places to hide, as Anderson just made a clutch takeout. Bender's second rock of the 10th seemed to pick out of his hands, but it still managed to tick a guard and roll in for third shot. It's not over yet.

Into third's stones

2006-12-03T19:01:00.000-06:00

Neufeld's looking good now, with two in the top four. Muntain has one top 12 a foot in front of a Neufeld rock.

Here's Bender's bump:

Hlatkey's draw picks

2006-12-03T19:00:00.000-06:00

Hlatkey's last shot of the end picked as it was drawing into the house, so it's not frozen.

Muntain has a shot

2006-12-03T18:57:00.000-06:00

Muntain might be able to get his two... he has two stones in play on the top four, one on each edge of the four foot circle. Neufeld is counting one on top of the button.

Neufeld cracks a four in nine

2006-12-03T18:51:00.000-06:00

Randy Neufeld played a strong end and drew for four to take command, as Muntain needs two to tie coming home.

These next two shots may decide things

2006-12-03T18:45:00.000-06:00

Muntain just rubbed a Neufeld guard out front, and Neufeld may be lying three with one to come. It could be the turning point of the match.

Here's the clip:
YouTube clip

Bender makes another double

2006-12-03T18:40:00.000-06:00

Bender came through again making the open double and roll against Neufeld. Neufeld is still lying one behind cover.

Here's Anderson's draw:

Lots of granite in the house

2006-12-03T18:32:00.000-06:00

It's nice and messy in nine, as we're into second's rocks. It looks like Neufeld is sitting one behind cover, and Cramer's rock is gliding right on top of it to count two.

Muntain makes double runback

2006-12-03T18:27:00.000-06:00

Muntain's successful double runback with the last rock of the end was enough to score one, as Neufeld pinned one to the button on top of Muntain's other counter. It's 5-3 Muntain playing nine.

Muntain's draw picks just in time

2006-12-03T18:23:00.000-06:00

Another pick that works for Muntain - his first rock of the end looks heavy but picks just behind the tee line. Neufeld then froze one corner of Muntain's shot rock, and he might be shot.

Neufeld rubs the guard

2006-12-03T18:19:00.000-06:00

Neufeld's hit attempt rubbed the guard but had enough momentum to take out one of Muntain's counters.

Bender makes another double

2006-12-03T18:17:00.000-06:00

Sure enough, Bender made the open double, and now Muntain lies three with hammer. Randy's throwing his first of the end.

Lots of rocks in play in eight

2006-12-03T18:15:00.000-06:00

Neufeld's managed to junk things up well in the eighth end, but Anderson's light bump may have opened up the double for Bender.

Neufeld takes one

2006-12-03T18:04:00.000-06:00

After Muntain made a great double takeout, Neufeld was forced to draw for one, which he makes. He drew pin for good measure. It's 4-3 Muntain playing eight.

Here's Muntain's double:

Muntain makes angle runback

2006-12-03T18:00:00.000-06:00

Muntain managed to move things around with a nice angle runback, but Neufeld still sits one with a chance to get another one in the top four.

Anderson makes angle raise

2006-12-03T17:57:00.000-06:00

Anderson made a perfect angle raise behind a ton of cover to sit two, and Muntain has his work cut out for him playing seven... his first skip's stone is to come.

Muntain steals one

2006-12-03T17:46:00.000-06:00

Muntain goes up 4-2 after six after stealing one when Neufeld's triple kill attempt only takes one out, leaving a Muntain counter top four.

Here's Muntain's draw:

Muntain takes three in five

2006-12-03T17:36:00.000-06:00

After a great double takeout by Bender, Muntain takes advantage of a pick on Neufeld's last shot draw attempt, and draws for three to make it 3-2 Muntain playing six.

Here's Neufeld's draw attempt:

It's over on sheet 2, as Chartrand wins the consolation event.

Muntain is setting up well in six, grabbing the momentum from Neufeld.

Bender's double takes pressure off

2006-12-03T17:23:00.000-06:00

Bender made a key double in an end that was setting up well for Neufeld. Now Muntain has one on the back 12, with a guard out front.

Chartrand is running away with his match

2006-12-03T17:17:00.000-06:00

Chartrand took four against Steski in the fifth end, and he leads 7-2 playing six.

Neufeld is looking really good in five, with two counters up the middle and a centre guard.

Muntain draw a little deep

2006-12-03T17:13:00.000-06:00

Muntain's last rock draw in 10 goes a little deep, leaving Neufeld a steal of one and a bit of momentum.

It's 3-2 Chartrand playing five.

Neufeld freeze his own

2006-12-03T17:10:00.000-06:00

Neufeld throws another great draw, freezing his own on the back four behind cover, forcing a draw for one against two for Muntain.

Here's Muntain's up-weight hit attempt:

Neufeld has tee linedraw weight

2006-12-03T17:07:00.000-06:00

Neufeld draws top button partly covered with his first rock of the end. Muntain has two rocks to come.

It's 3-2 Chartrand playing five in the consolation final.

Bender's come around hit crashes

2006-12-03T17:05:00.000-06:00

Bender crashes on a guard trying the come-around hit, but his shooter rolls across thehouse and bumps out the Neufeld biter. Neufeld will try to bury one around the centre guard.

Hlatkey makes the double runback

2006-12-03T17:01:00.000-06:00

Hlatkey's double runback works, but it leaves a possible biter on the outside edge of the 12 foot.

Anderson just played a nice split and Neufeld sits two, maybe three. Bender is forced to try a tricky hit. It's a nose, and he sits top 12 exposed.

Once again, Neufeld is setting up well

2006-12-03T16:58:00.000-06:00

Neufeld has two counters in front of the tee line and is playing a guard with his second's first stone.

Neufeld takes one

2006-12-03T16:55:00.000-06:00

After jamming the Muntain rock onto his back 12 rock, Neufeld settles for one in three, and it's 1-0 playing four.

Chartrand leads Steski 3-1 playing four.

Neufeld hits and sits

2006-12-03T16:53:00.000-06:00

Neufeld's first rock of the end is a nose hit, leaving Muntain a tricky double attempt. He throws a good stone, takes the first out, but only bumps the second one to the outside fringe of the 12 foot.

Neufeld has a hit and stick for two.

Bender's hit jams

2006-12-03T16:50:00.000-06:00

Bender's hit attempt jams and leaves Neufeld a decent shot at setting up his two.

Bender makes nose hit

2006-12-03T16:48:00.000-06:00

Bender's nose hit on the shot stone leaves Anderson (Neufeld's third) with a similar shot to lie two, maybe three.

Hlatkey's tight on his hit

2006-12-03T16:46:00.000-06:00

Hlatkey came out a little tight and crashed on the guard, so Neufeld's lying one, playing a hit to lie three, which he makes, although his shooter may not be in the rings.

Neufeld's sitting two

2006-12-03T16:44:00.000-06:00

Neufeld's sitting two after a hit and roll on a Schwab stone that came a little deep and rolled on a freeze attempt.

Hlatkey took one out in a double attempt and rolled to top 12 on the outside edge, leaving Neufeld counting one back eight with a chance for two.

Muntain has one out front

2006-12-03T16:42:00.000-06:00

Maybe we'll see some rocks in play in the third, has Muntain has a centre guard set up.

That's two blanks

2006-12-03T16:41:00.000-06:00

Neufeld's done it again... another blank. Maybe it'll be a 1-0 final?

If you're reading this, Bob Picken

2006-12-03T16:35:00.000-06:00

Hey, Bob... if you're pulling scores off of my blog, a mention of the source would be great! (manitoba curling dot blogspot dot com)

It's wide open again in the second... we're still waiting for the game to start.

Neufeld blanks first end

2006-12-03T16:28:00.000-06:00

As expected, Neufeld blanked the first end.

It's been pretty wide open in the consolation final as well, with a blank in the first end there.

Neufeld keeps it open

2006-12-03T16:22:00.000-06:00

So far Neufeld is keeping it wide open.

The winner gets $2,000 and the loser $1,200.

Final is underway

2006-12-03T16:18:00.000-06:00

Randy Neufeld won the toss, so Richard Muntain is up first in the final of the Thistle Integrity Stakes.

Chartrand and Steski are playing on sheet 2 in the consolation final.

Muntain takes it with a pick

2006-12-03T15:50:00.000-06:00

After Waterhouse managed to wick and roll into the top four behind a Muntain rock:

Muntain threw a runback attempt that was wide at first, but picked inside the hog line and almost over curled before making the runback for the win. A fitting finish in a game full of picks.

Steski draws four foot

2006-12-03T15:38:00.000-06:00

Steski managed to draw four foot against four Zachary counters to make it to the consolation final.

We're into the first of skips' rocks in 10 in the main.

Muntain's sitting three

2006-12-03T15:33:00.000-06:00

We're into third stones and Muntain is sitting three, one behind cover.

Zachary is still looking to steal out in 10... he has three counters on the outside of the four foot, but Steski has last rock.

Waterhouse makes wick and roll

2006-12-03T15:31:00.000-06:00

Waterhouse's second made a sweet wick and roll behind cover to lie one. Muntain followed that up with a peel of a front stone.

Muntain looking at double peel

2006-12-03T15:29:00.000-06:00

Muntain is calling a tricky double peel, but Ryan Hlatkey overthrew it a touch and it drifted out, hitting one of his own counters in the top eight foot.

Waterhouse has a chance to get into the house behind cover, now.

Identical situations in both games

2006-12-03T15:27:00.000-06:00

It's 5-5 in both games playing 10... Muntain's drawing in early, behind a long Waterhouse guard.

Zachary is setting up well into skips stones.

Wide open in nine

2006-12-03T15:23:00.000-06:00

Waterhouse is looking at an open hit with his last rock of the ninth, and he makes it to score one.

Muntain needs one to win with hammer coming home.

It's tied at 5-5 in the consolation semi.

Another key pick

2006-12-03T15:18:00.000-06:00

I'm not sure what's going on with the ice, but there was just another dramatic pick... Waterhouse's third's last stone literally went sideways, and it was a takeout. Now Muntain has a realistic shot at forcing Waterhouse.

Into third stones in nine

2006-12-03T15:16:00.000-06:00

Muntain is sitting one behind cover in the middle of the left side eight foot, into third stones.

We'll see how they rebound after the pick

2006-12-03T15:11:00.000-06:00

The true test of a team is not how they react to a good situation, but how they recover from adversity. Losing a rock to a pick in eight is painful, but Muntain needs to regroup.

Zachary and Steski are still going in the other consolation semi.

Neufeld's through, Muntain picks

2006-12-03T15:08:00.000-06:00

Randy Neufeld has qualified for the final with a win over McEwen.

Chartrand wins the consolation semi after eight ends.

Muntain was drawing for his deuce, but his rock picked halfway down. It almost had enough to make it in despite the debris, but it came up short, and got swiftly kicked to the boards.

Muntain's sitting two

2006-12-03T15:06:00.000-06:00

Muntain's sitting two after making a pick-out hit, Waterhouse has one to come. He tried the up-weight double, but it leaves one Muntain counter, so he has a free draw for two.

Lots of action in eight

2006-12-03T15:05:00.000-06:00

Plenty of rocks in play in eight, as Muntain looks to score a big end. Waterhouse is counting one, half buried, but Muntain has two top eight lined up well.

Waterhouse takes one

2006-12-03T14:50:00.000-06:00

Waterhouse was forced to hit and stick for one in seven, so it's 4-4 playing eight, and Muntain has hammer.

It's 4-4 into skips rocks in seven between Zachary and Steski.

Chartrand leads Zammitt 7-2 playing seven.

Into skips rocks in seven

2006-12-03T14:42:00.000-06:00

Muntain's getting ready to throw his first in seven, facing one Waterhouse counter half buried in the tee line.

Slam update: Howard wins

2006-12-03T14:39:00.000-06:00

Glen Howard defeated Randy Ferbey in the final of the Slam event in Waterloo.

Waterhouse is setting up well in seven

2006-12-03T14:36:00.000-06:00

Waterhouse is sitting two behind a center guard, with the last of second rocks to come in the seventh end.

Question about names on jackets

2006-12-03T14:34:00.000-06:00

What is the traditional protocol for putting your names on your jackets? Do you need to have Select experience? Do you need to have a cashpiel win under your belt? I just wonder who is sitting behind the glass trying to figure out who's who in a club game or a tier 2 spiel?

Dang it's cold in here

2006-12-03T14:32:00.000-06:00

I feel like I'm right on the ice, as it's as cold in the lounge as it is on the ice...

Waterhouse to blank

2006-12-03T14:30:00.000-06:00

Waterhouse is blanking the sixth, so it'll be 5-4 Muntain playing seven, and Waterhouse maintains hammer.

Sweepers do their thing

2006-12-03T14:29:00.000-06:00

All three of Waterhouse's sweepers pounded it to get the shot rock, half covered by the guard.

It's wide open in our feature game

2006-12-03T14:28:00.000-06:00

Waterhouse is throwing his first of the sixth end, and he has a guard halfway out, covering the edge of the right four foot line. He's trying to draw around now.

Slam is tied playing eight

2006-12-03T14:27:00.000-06:00

Ferbey and Howard are tied at 4-4 with one to play, and Howard has hammer coming home.

McEwen clears things up

2006-12-03T14:26:00.000-06:00

It's wide open now on sheet 2, as McEwen successfully doubled out a couple of Neufeld counters.

Neufeld has three counters in five

2006-12-03T14:22:00.000-06:00

Bryce McEwen is looking at three Neufeld counters into third stones in five.

Zammitt and Chartrand are tied 2-2 playing six.

Steski leads Zachary 4-3 playing six.

Dan Bender just made a nice hit and roll behind cover to lie two for Muntain, but Waterhouse matched that shot with a runback double. They're going toe to toe in the sixth.

Muntain controlling the score zone

2006-12-03T14:21:00.000-06:00

Muntain has control of the score zone in the front third of the house with three counters behind cover playing six.

Waterhouse's second just made a great runback double to leave Mutnain sitting one in the open.

Muntain comes through with angle raise

2006-12-03T14:17:00.000-06:00

Muntain got the two back with a brilliant angle raise takeout of a Waterhouse rock buried on the back of the button. It's 4-3 Muntain after five ends.

Round up of other scores after four ends

2006-12-03T14:07:00.000-06:00

Steski leads Zachary 4-2 playing five.
Neufeld leads McEwen 3-1 playing four.
Zammitt leads 2-1 over Chartrand playing five.

In the Slam, Howard leads Ferbey 4-3 playing seven, and Ferbey has hammer.

Waterhouse takes two

2006-12-03T14:00:00.000-06:00

Waterhouse successfully made the open hit and stick to take two after Muntain failed to roll behind cover with his last rock hit.

Muntain looking at a double

2006-12-03T13:57:00.000-06:00

Waterhouse is lying two, with one on the edge of the 12 foot and the other on the other side of the house, top eight. Muntain's looking at a long double, or a hit and roll behind cover.