Elite 10 teams in 10 days - Epping - The Grand Slam of Curling

Elite 10 teams in 10 days – Epping

Over the course of 10 days, we’re profiling all 10 teams set to compete in the 2018 Princess Auto Elite 10. Day 3: Team John Epping.

SKIP	THIRD	SECOND	LEAD
John Epping	Mat Camm	Patrick Janssen	Tim March

John Epping broke through to win the Ontario Tankard this year to represent the province for the first time at the Tim Hortons Brier.

Epping lost to 17-time provincial champion Glenn Howard twice earlier in the tournament but the third time was the charm in the 5-1 victory during the final. It was a defensive battle as Howard blanked the first six ends before Epping stole two points in the seventh to open the scoring. Howard settled for a single in the eighth and Epping, who finally had control of the hammer in the ninth end, tacked three more on the board.

The Toronto-based team has qualified for the playoffs at two Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling tournaments this season reaching the quarterfinals at the Tour Challenge Tier 1 and semifinals at the Boost National.

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Epping is a three-time Grand Slam champion. He captured his first at the National in December 2008 while throwing second stones for all-time great Wayne Middaugh. After moving on, Epping earned his first as a skip at the 2012 Players’ Championship. His team was the underdog as the lowest-ranked seed in the field but overcame the odds to capture the prestigious title.

Epping’s third Grand Slam championship — and first with Camm, Janssen and March — came at the 2015 Meridian Canadian Open. The crew posted a perfect 6-0 record with Epping throwing 100 percent in the final against Team Gushue.

The 2018 Princess Auto Elite 10 runs March 15-18 at Winnipeg’s St. James Civic Centre.