News Masters

We’re counting down to the 2015 Masters by looking back at the top moments in the history of the event.

This time we’re rewinding to 2011 when the event was known as the World Cup of Curling and featured a Howard vs. Howard final between father Glenn (skip of Team Howard) and son Scott (throwing second stones for Team Epping).

Team Howard won their earlier encounter during the round robin 7-3 and finished the preliminary round with a 4-1 record to qualify for the playoffs. Howard continued to cruise with victories over Team McEwen and Team Edin to reach the final.

Team Epping bounced back to finish the round robin with a 3-2 record but needed to win three games in one day in order to make the championship match. The Toronto-based team pulled through as Epping edged Team Balsdon 6-5 with a steal in the eighth during the tiebreaker and scored playoff victories over Team Gushue and Team Martin to set up the rematch with Team Howard.

Tied 2-2 after three, Team Howard took control with a three-ender in the fourth to pull ahead. Epping added another pair of points in the fifth end but couldn’t close the deficit. Howard settled for a single in seven and held on for the 6-4 victory to earn his fifth title at the event in six seasons.

Howard and Epping clashed for another Grand Slam title later that season at the 2012 Players’ Championship, although that time the script was flipped with Team Epping coming out on top 7-6.

The two Howards now play side-by-side with Scott tossing lead stones for Glenn’s team as they chase the 2015 Masters title together.

The 2015 Pinty’s GSOC Masters runs Oct. 27 to Nov. 1 at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre in Truro, N.S. CLICK HERE for ticket information.