Field Set for 2017 Sasktel Tankard Men's Provincial Championship in Tisdale

Six spots were still waiting to be filled before the weekend of the North & South Playdowns got underway, which would round out the 16 team triple knockout format that will take place at the Sasktel Tankard in Tisdale on Feb.1-5. The Northern Playdowns hosted 19 teamsat the North Battleford Twin Rivers Curling Club with four available berths into provincials. While the Assiniboia Curling Club played host to the Southern Playdowns with 8 teams looking for one of the two available berths into provincials.

North Qualifiers

The four available spots in the north playdowns were to be determined by a triple knockout with the A, B, and two C Event winners. In the A Event final we saw Team Drew Heidt face off against Team Scott Comfort for that first provincial spot, and right out of the gate Heidt got out to an early lead of 4-1 after three ends of play. Followed up with back to back steals ended this game early with Heidt taking the victory 9-1 and grabbing that first provincial berth. Congratulations Team Drew Heidt (above). Later on that day in the B Event final, Brady Scharback rattled off three straight wins and the final win over Team Tyler Travis. Back to back single steals in the 5th and 6th ends helped Scharback take the final score 6-3. Congratulations Team Scharback (left).

With action starting on Thursday afternoon, it was a long few days for some teams still battling in the C Event and looking to pick up one of the two final spots. In one C Event final, Ryan Armstrongmet up with Comfort that ended up displaying a classic back and forth game to decide the winner. After six ends of play, the game was all knotted up at two a piece with four straight single points traded back and forth between the teams. But it was Armstrong who picked up a huge three spot in the 8th end, and needing a single in the 10th end to break the tie and win in 6-5, earning that provincial berth. Congratulations Team Armstrong (below). The final C Event final took place Sunday afternoon, which saw Team Scott Bitz go head to head with Travis. And again the teams provided that back and forth action with things all tied up heading into the 10th and final end, where it was Bitz using that last rock advantage and counting the single point winner to 6-5, and that final provincial berth. Congratulations Team Bitz (right).

South Qualifers

Two spots were available with the A Event winner advancing directly into provincials, while the B & C Event winners playing off (C winner needing to beat B winner twice) to finalize the last spot. In the A Event final, Team Brent Gedak faced off with Team Jason Ackerman. Gedak got out to an early lead of 4-1 after the 5th end break, and responded quickly again with a score of four in the 6th end taking the victory and first provincial spot with a score of 8-1. Congratulations Team Gedak (below left). Ackerman then dropping down to the B Event final to play against Mark Walter, taking this one with a score of 11-3. Walter then dropping down to the C Event final to battle it out with Team Daniel Selke. This one came down to the 10th and final end, with Walter securing his deuce and winning this game with a score of 9-6. Walter and Ackerman meeting up in one final showdown (Walter needing to beat Ackerman twice). Ackerman came out firing and never looked back as he took the game 11-8 earning that final provincial berth. Congratulations Team Ackerman (below right).

With the final six qualifiers determined, this now rounds out the 16 team triple knockout format for the 2017 Sasktel Tankard Men’s Provincial Championship. Let us take at all the teams who will be competing.

Team Brad Heidt – Kerrobert Curling Club
Team Bruce Korte – Saskatoon Nutana Curling Club
Team Scott Bitz – Saskatoon Sutherland Curling Club
Team Randy Bryden – Regina Callie Curling Club
Team Dale Craig – Saskatoon Nutana Curling Club
Team Drew Heidt – North Battleford Twin Rivers Curling Club
Team Brent Gedak – Estevan Power Dodge Curling Centre
Team Jason Ackerman – Regina Highland Curling Club
Team Jason Jacobson – Saskatoon Nutana Curling Club
Team Kody Hartung – Saskatoon Nutana Curling Club
Team Steve Laycock – Saskatoon Nutana Curling Club
Team Adam Casey- Regina Highland Curling Club
Team Ryan Armstrong – Lashburn Curling Club
Team Ryan Deis – Fox Valley Curling Club
Team Brady Scharback – Saskatoon Nutana Curling Club
Team Carl deConinck Smith – Rosetown Curling Club

To view all team lineups, clickhere.

Good Luck to all curlers and see you all up in Tisdale Feb.1-5!