Howard holds off Dacey at the Syncrude National
FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — Glenn Howard of Penetanguishene, Ont., improved to a 2-1 record in the Syncrude National after defeating Halifax’s Mark Dacey 6-5 during Draw 6 action Friday.
Howard, who has won 13 Grand Slams as a skip, never trailed settling for a single to start and stealing two points in the second end for an early 3-0 lead. Dacey recovered with a deuce in three, but Howard matched with another two count in four to re-establish the three-point gap. The teams alternated singles in five and six, Dacey (1-2) was limited to another lone point in seven as Howard held the hammer coming home and gave up one to secure the victory.
Brier champion Kevin Koe of Calgary moved up to a 3-1 record scoring three in the sixth and again in the eighth during an 8-4 win over Switzerland’s Pascal Hess (0-3).
Edmonton’s Brendan Bottcher doubled up on Japan’s Yusuke Morozumi 8-4 in seven ends for his first win of the tournament. Tied 1-1, Bottcher (1-2) stole three in the third, forced Morozumi to a single in the fourth, and took two in the fifth. Morozumi (0-4) managed to score a deuce in the sixth, but Bottcher continued to roll responding with another pair in seven.
South Korea’s Soo-Hyuk Kim (1-1) scored a deuce in the eighth to lift his team to an 8-6 victory over Regina’s Brock Virtue (0-4).
Sweden’s Niklas Edin scored one in the extra end to edge compatriot Oskar Eriksson 6-5. Eriksson (2-1) stole one in the eighth to send it into the extra frame. Edin is now at the top of Pool C with a 3-1 record.
