HOT CORNER: Road to the Roar a great treat for curling fans

The 2017 Home Hardware Road to the Roar Pre-Trials is another great event for Summerside.
Whether you are a curling fan or not, you may want to take in some action this weekend. You will be impressed with what you see.
There is a lot on the line with two spots open for each of the men and women in next month’s Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings in Ottawa. That is where it will be determined who will represent Canada at the Winter Olympics in South Korea in February.
A lot has to happen before then, and local fans have the chance to see it unfold this weekend. A lot of Canada’s best are here, and when one looks at the standings, as of Thursday, this event is very much up for grabs.
For example, after four rounds of play on the women’s side, no team was without a loss. Only Charley Thomas and Glenn Howard, both at 3-0, took undefeated records into Thursday’s play on the men’s side.
It sets up to be a great weekend of curling. If you are unable to take in the action, TSN is providing live coverage beginning on Saturday.

Great venue
As I have said many times, we are so lucky on P.E.I. to have Credit Union Place. I took in some live curling the other night, and I must say it is impressive to see the professional setup for this week’s big event.
Never before would we see big events like this locally, and it was a treat to sit there in comfortable and fan-friendly Credit Union Place and watch Canada’s best.
We are only used to seeing big names like Howard, Morris, Middaugh and Kleibrink on television, but here they are in Summerside, in a competition with a lot on the line.
Does it get any better than this?
Since the men’s Brier has outgrown small-town Canada, a Scotties Tournament of Hearts – Canadian women’s curling championship – would be a perfect fit for Summerside.
It was just announced that Sydney, N.S., will host the 2019 Scotties, and it already has been in Charlottetown three times in recent memory – 1984, 1999 and 2011.
It would be great to see the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Summerside, and hopefully that may happen in the not too distant future.

Roy Halladay
Major League Baseball and the sporting world is mourning the loss of Roy Halladay. What can I say that has not already been said about one of the classiest athletes to ever play baseball?
One thing that stands out to me is how Halladay embraced the city of Toronto and, in particular, Canada. So many baseball players have shunned Canada over the years, with both the Blue Jays and Montreal Expos during their existence.
From the time he was drafted by the Jays, Halladay accepted Toronto with open arms, and was always so respectful of our great country. He was proud to be a Blue Jay, and that was a major reason why Canadian baseball fans embraced and thought so much of him.
He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word, and a perfect role model. As fans, we come to admire professional athletes, and without doubt the admiration for Roy Halladay stands out by itself. He was a fan favourite for so many, and will always be remembered as a one of the best-ever Blue Jays. He was one of the greatest professionals to ever play sports in Canada.

Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is Saturday, Nov. 11, and is a time to reflect on the past, and pay tribute to those who fought for our freedom and make Canada the great country it is.
One only has to read or watch what men and women of past generations went through in wartimes, so that we can enjoy what we have today. We are so lucky to be Canadians, and very fortunate to live in a country like Canada.
We, at least, can take a few minutes on Remembrance Day to pay tribute to those who fought for us. There are many services planned right across P.E.I., and everyone is encouraged to attend one near you. Have a great week!

Joe MacIntyre is a Summerside resident. His column appears every Saturday. Comments and suggestions can be sent to [email protected].