Koe beats Sweden’s Niklas Edin at Canadian Open
YORKTON, Sask. — Calgary’s Kevin Koe downed Sweden’s Niklas Edin 7-5 in the evening draw at the Canadian Open on Wednesday.
Koe fell behind twice before scoring a deuce in the fourth end to take a 4-3 lead. Edin responded with a single in the fifth, but another score of two in the sixth and a single in the eighth from Koe was enough for the victory.
In other Draw 5 play, Scotland’s David Murdock slipped past Saskatoon’s Steve Laycock, scoring a single in an extra end for the 5-4 win.
Brad Gushue, from St. John’s N.L., doubled up Winnipeg’s Reid Carruthers 6-3 in six ends, Brad Jacobs of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., hammered Jim Cotter of Vernon 7-3 and Charlottetown’s Adam Casey needed only five ends to dismantle veteran skip Glenn Howard of Penetanguishene, Ont., 9-3.
Earlier in women’s play, Edmonton’s Val Sweeting needed an extra end to edge Tracy Fleury of Sudbury, Ont., 7-6 while Ottawa’s Rachel Homan disposed of Switzerland’s Binia Feltscher 6-1 in five ends.
Also, Switzerland’s Alina Paetz toppled Scotland’s Eve Muirhead 9-3, Sherry Middaugh, from Coldwater, Ont., downed Saskatoon’s Stefanie Lawton 6-2 and Calgary’s Chelsea Carey beat EunJung Kim of South Korea 9-6.
The Canadian Open is the third of four majors on the Grand Slam of Curling season.
The triple knockout format is used to determine playoff seedings. The quarter-finals and semifinals will be played Saturday and the finals are set for Sunday. 2017 at the Meridian Centre, Curling Canada said Wednesday.
“St. Catharines put in a wonderful bid that was backed wholeheartedly by the city and we’re excited to see what’s in store in 2017,” Curling Canada board chairman Hugh Avery said in a release. “The Scotties Tournament of Hearts has a rich history of thrilling action on the ice and party for all ages off the ice. Curling fans in St. Catharines and all over southern Ontario are in for a treat.”
The Meridian Centre opened in September 2014 and seats approximately 5,300 for hockey. It’s home to the Ontario Hockey League’s Niagara IceDogs.
St. Catharines previously hosted national junior men’s and women’s championships in 2001 and 2007.
The 2016 Scotties Tournament of Hearts is scheduled for Feb. 2028 in Grande Prairie, Alta.