McEwen Shines in CO-OP Tour Challenge Notebook
Mike McEwen secured a crucial victory against Rylan Kleiter at the CO-OP Tour Challenge in Nisku, Alberta. This 7-4 win during Draw 10 was essential for Team McEwen, who faced elimination after losing their first two matches in the Grand Slam of Curling tournament. The Saskatoon-based teams competed fiercely, with McEwen needing a win to earn the full three points.
Key Match Moments
The game was tightly contested, but a pivotal moment emerged in the fourth end. The match was tied when Kleiter overthrew his final stone, allowing McEwen to execute an open draw that resulted in three points, giving his team a 4-1 advantage. Despite the teams trading points in the following ends, the new blank rule significantly influenced the seventh end.
- Teams can only blank once per game.
- Kleiter had already used his blank, forcing him to score in the seventh.
- This rule change altered the strategy for both teams.
Strategic Adjustments
McEwen noted that his team had discussed the new rule during a training camp before the event. He emphasized the importance of adapting strategies in real-time, stating, “Using a blank strategically is less of an option now.” This shift in strategy encouraged him to take decisive actions throughout the match.
Upcoming Challenges
Despite the victory, McEwen must secure another win against Reid Carruthers, a good friend and former teammate. The competitive history between the teams adds further excitement to the matchup. Carruthers, also in the tournament, has a 2-1 record and aims to build on this performance.
Player Performance Insights
McEwen, recovering from knee surgery, feels close to peak condition and aims to maintain his performance as the season progresses. In contrast, Carruthers is focused on achieving his goals, including a potential return to the Brier championship.
Standout Teams and Players
Matt Dunstone’s team has made headlines by clinching a playoff spot with a perfect 3-0 record. Other teams like Scotland’s Team Mouat and Canada’s Team Epping have also secured their playoff berths. The tournament continues to showcase high-level competition among top curlers.
Thursday’s Results
| Draw | Results |
|---|---|
| Draw 9 | Carruthers 8, Hösli 4 |
| Waddell 8, Muskatewitz 5 | |
| X. Schwaller 5, Gim 4 | |
| Black 7, Ha 5 | |
| Draw 10 | McEwen 7, Kleiter 4 |
| Mouat 9, Dropkin 4 | |
| Constantini 7, Kim 4 | |
| Tirinzoni 7, Tabata 3 | |
| Draw 11 | Dunstone 6, Edin 3 |
The action continues as the tournament builds towards the playoffs, with curling fans eagerly anticipating the outcomes of upcoming matches.
