The 2023 edition of the SaskTel Tankard men’s provincial curling championship is underway, and the opening night featured four games and some great shots for curling fans.
The Dustin Kalthoff rink edged the Michael Carss entry 9-7 in a back-and-forth contest that had six lead changes. The two teams were tied at 5-5 through five ends, and Carss led 7-6 through seven. But Kalthoff scored one in the eighth to tie and stole one in each of nine and 10 to win.
The Daymond Bernath rink scored seven unanswered points in the second half of the game to defeat Josh Heidt 8-4. Heidt led 4-1 through five ends, thanks in large part to a score of two in the fourth and one in the fifth.
But Bernath scored two in the sixth and stole two in each of the seventh and eighth ends, and one more in the ninth.
Team Jason Jacobson knocked off Dallan Muyres 7-3 in nine ends. Muyres scored two in the fifth to tie the game at 5-5. After a blank end in six, Jacobson scored two in seven to lead 5-3, and stole one in each of the eighth and ninth ends.
Finally, Steve Laycock – who won the Tankard when it was last in Estevan in 2018 – defeated Logan Ede 8-4. Ede led 3-2 through four ends, and it was a 4-4 game through seven. But Laycock notched two in the eighth and stole two more in nine for the victory.
It will be another busy day on Thursday. The 9 a.m. draw will feature four more games in the A event. Jacobson will play defending provincial champion Colton Flasch, Kalthoff will play Kody Hartung, Bernath will face Kelly Knapp and Laycock will play Rylan Kleiter.
There will also be games at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
You can continue to watch SASKTODAY.ca for full coverage of the Tankard.
