News Elite 10

VICTORIA — Brier champion Kevin Koe of Calgary climbed to a 2-0-0-1 record in the Elite 10 with a 3-and-2 win over Niklas Edin of Sweden during Friday’s Draw 5 action at the Q Centre. 

The loss eliminated the reigning world champion Edin from playoff contention in the match play tournament with a 1-0-0-3 record and three points. Teams attempt to win the most ends per game by either scoring two or more points with the hammer or stealing at least one point without the hammer. Teams are awarded three points for winning in eight ends or less, two points for winning in an extra-end shootout and one point for losing in an extra-end shootout.

Koe scored in the first and stole the second to go 2-up early. Edin was held to a push in three and Koe made an open hit to win the fourth end and lead by three. Edin was unable to generate offence resulting in another push in five. Koe pushed in six to secure the victory after Edin wiped out while making his final shot. 

On top of the match play format, the Elite 10 also added a few new rules this season. Players cannot make tick shots to guards on the centre line during the first five rocks, sweepers cannot use stopwatches, and teams are restricted to two sweeper brushes and one skip brush. 

Toronto’s John Epping improved to a 2-0-0-1 record (six points) with a 2-up victory over Charley Thomas of Calgary. 

Thomas (0-0-0-3, zero points) got a deuce in the opening end to take a 1-up lead and Epping countered making an open hit to win the second end and tie it. Facing two counters in the third, Thomas needed to draw to the button for a push but chipped off a guard to give up a steal. Thomas sat four in the fourth prior to his last and Epping looked to hit off a rock outside the house and roll to the button but his shooter stopped on contact and made the game all square again. Epping took the fifth end to pull back into the lead and Thomas was unable to force the extra end shootout giving up a steal in the eighth. 

NOTES: The Elite 10 runs through to Sunday at the Q Centre at West Shore Parks & Recreation. … Six teams qualify for the playoffs with the top two receiving byes to the semifinals. … Teams receive three points for a regulation win, two for an extra end win and one for an extra end loss.