Mike Gaudet is looking to get off to a good start tonight at the Tankard provincial men’s curling championship.
The defending champion rink from the Charlottetown Curling Complex begins its title defence at 6:30 p.m. at the Crapaud Community Curling Club.
“It’s always pretty important for anyone to get off to a good start,” Gaudet said Tuesday. “It would be nice to get the first game and take it from there.”
Gaudet’s rink of third Tyler MacKenzie, second Tyler Harris and lead Sean Clarey plays the winner of today’s 1:30 p.m. game between Robert Shaw and Blair Weeks, both teams are from Charlottetown.
There are 10 teams in the triple-knockout championship with the final slated for 4 p.m. Sunday.
“I don’t think we’re the favourites, so there’s no pressure on us,” Gaudet told The Guardian.
He thinks the Rod MacDonald, Robert Campbell and Eddie MacKenzie rinks, all from Charlottetown, are the favourites.
There are seven rinks from Charlottetown and one each from the host club (Allan Inman), Silver Fox (Mel Bernard) and Cornwall (Ted MacFadyen).
This is the Gaudet’s rink second year together and they have practised a couple of times in Crapaud this week in preparation for the provincial championship.
“We’ve been struggling all year, so it would be nice to put it all together this week.
The winner qualifies for the Tim Hortons Brier, March 2 to 10, in Edmonton.
(peicurling.com/tankard)
P.E.I. Tankard
u What - The provincial men’s curling championship.
u Where - Crapaud Community Curling Club.
u When - Today to Sunday.
u Who - Teams are skipped by Rod MacDonald, Eddie MacKenzie, Jamie Newson, Mike Gaudet, Mel Bernard, Robert Campbell, Allan Inman, Ted MacFadyen, Robert Shaw, and Blair Weeks.
Today’s Draws
1:30 p.m.
Game 1 - Robert Shaw vs. Blair Weeks
Game 2 - Robert Campbell vs. Mel Bernard
Game 3 - Rod MacDonald vs. Ted MacFadyen
Game 6 - Allan Inman vs. Eddie MacKenzie
6:30 p.m.
Game 11 - Game 2 loser vs. Game 6 loser
Game 4 - Mike Gaudet vs. Game 1 winner
Game 5 - Jamie Newson vs. Game 2 winner
Game 10 - Game 1 loser vs. Game 3 loser
