TBT: Howard runs the table at 2013 Players’ Championship
It’s Throwback Thursday and we’re digging through the archives of the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling series. Today’s feature: the 2013 Players’ Championship.
Glenn Howard has been a lifelong Toronto Maple Leafs fan and made the most of his first chance playing in the team’s former home.
The Players’ Championship touched down in T.O. in 2013 at Ryerson’s Mattamy Athletic Centre, formerly known as Maple Leaf Gardens and the home of the Leafs from 1931 to 1999.
Perhaps channelling those Stanley Cup-winning memories in the hallowed halls of the building, Howard went on a roll at the 2013 Players’ Championship running the table posting a perfect 7-0 record.
It wasn’t exactly a smooth ride to the title, however, as Howard faced Mike McEwen in the final. Howard wrecked on a shot in the seventh end to give up a steal and trail 3-2 heading home, and the skip needed to make a double takeout with his last shot coming home to score the game-winning deuce.
Watch the final moments below as all we can say is Howard = clutch.
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Howard earned his 12th career Grand Slam title as a skip and his team — featuring third Wayne Middaugh, second Brent Laing, and lead Craig Savill — collected a $50,000 bonus as the overall Grand Slam of Curling season champions.
Middaugh celebrated in true hockey fashion by dumping his water bottle over his skip during the post-game interview with CBC’s Scott Russell.
What was once one of hockey’s historic shrines is now filling with curling memories as the Mattamy Athletic Centre now prepares to host the Players’ Championship for the third time in four years. Tickets are available for the 2016 Players’ Championship, running April 12-17, visit thegrandslamofcurling.com/tickets for details.
