SUMMERSIDE - P.E.I.'s Mel Bernard rink from the host Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club remains in playoff contention at the 2009 Canadian senior curling championships.
Bernard snapped a two-game losing streak by outscoring Manitoba's Brent Strachan (5-5) by a 9-7 score Wednesday afternoon.
"We knew that was going to be a tough game and they are a good team," said Bernard. "They played well and we were just one shot better.
"It was a heck of a game and there were high percentages in that game."
Defending Canadian senior men's champion Eugene Hritzuk from Saskatchewan scored five in the fifth end to open up a 9-2 lead en route to a 10-2 six-end victory over the previously unbeaten Russ Howard (8-1) from New Brunswick.
In another key evening game, Ontario's Bruce Delaney (7-2) registered a 5-4 decision over Newfoundland and Labrador's Bill Jenkins (6-3).
Today's games
P.E.I. takes a 6-2 (won-lost) mark into today's action against Nova Scotia's Bryan MacPherson (1-7) and British Columbia's Brian Gessner (5-5).
"We want to be in the playoffs and we know we can," said Bernard. "That was the first game that we all played well.
"Everybody on the team had a tremendous game and we're jelling at the right time. Now is the time to get it going, get on a high and make the playoffs."
Bernard's teammates are third stone Blair Jay, second stone Douglas Simmons and lead Earle Proude.
After getting off to a 5-0 start, P.E.I. lost 5-4 on a 10th-end measurement to Newfoundland and Labrador on Tuesday night, and Brad Whitehead (2-8) of the Northwest Territories/Yukon scored a deuce in the 10th end to beat the Islanders 7-5 Wednesday morning.
"Every game we've played has been close," said Bernard. "It's easy to start sliding when you start going down.
"This is not like playing on a Tuesday night. You have to have your heart in every shot.
"It's great to win, get a little momentum, get our focus going again and feeling like we can do it."
Against Manitoba, Bernard scored a deuce in the 10th end for the victory.
"The (key) shot in the 10th end was Blair's double peel," said Bernard. "Of course they had two guards up before we could do anything.
"From there, we just had to keep hitting away and hope we got things open. Blair's double peel opened it up and Doug also had a tremendous shot (a double takeout). His shot really cleared things.
"Everybody on both teams threw the rock really well in that game. It was fun to play."
jpsports@journalpioneer.com
P.E.I. men still in the hunt
Manitoba second stone Tim Weber releases a shot as lead Jim Strath, left, and third stone Dale Brooks prepare to sweep during a round-robin game against P.E.I.s Mel Bernard at the 2009 Canadian senior curling championships at the Silver Fox Curling and Ya
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Published on
March 26, 2009
- Published on June 20, 2010
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Jason Simmonds
SUMMERSIDE - P.E.I.'s Mel Bernard rink from the host Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club remains in playoff contention at the 2009 Canadian senior curling championships.
Bernard snapped a two-game losing streak by outscoring Manitoba's Brent Strachan (5-5) by a 9-7 score Wednesday afternoon.
"We knew that was going to be a tough game and they are a good team," said Bernard. "They played well and we were just one shot better.
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