CurlingZone: Four teams still in the hunt in New Brunswick Tankard

Team James Grattan (Photo: Curling Canada) are among the final four rinks still competing for the New Brunswick Tankard in Miramichi.

By: Cameron Sallaj

After the third day of competition from the Miramichi, four teams remain in the race for the provincial title in New Brunswick. Among those teams are number one seeded Team James Grattan out of Oromocto, along with Fredericton's Jack Smeltzer and Zach Eldridge rinks and Moncton's Scott Jones. Both the A and B Events are complete and all four teams are now playing in the C Event.

The Grattan rink won the A Event, defeating Team Smeltzer 9-5 in the qualifier Thursday afternoon. Team Grattan consists of third Darren Moulding, second Paul Dobson and leads Andy McCann and Jamie Brannen, who are alternating at lead and alternate positions. The team scored a quick four points in the first end and led 5-3 at the break. They added to their total with three points in the sixth, with the game coming to an early concession after eight ends of play.

Despite winning the A Event, Team Grattan dropped down into the B Event as all teams drop down to play in every event. In the B Final, Clubmates Jack Smeltzer and Zach Eldridge from the Capital Winter Club in Fredericton went head-to-head.

After a blank in the first end, Team Eldridge got two in the second. Following a single by Smeltzer in three, the Eldridge rink added three to their total in the fourth and a steal of one in the fifth. The game ended early in the sixth when Smeltzer gave up a steal of five, conceding to Team Eldridge in an 11-1 final. Team Eldridge consists of skip Zach Eldridge, third Chris Jeffrey, second Ronnie Burgess and lead Brody Hanson.

Next up in the Miramichi is the C Event semifinals. Team Smeltzer look to bounce back against Team James Grattan, while Eldridge will go up against Scott Jones. Grattan won 8-3 in the C Quarterfinal game against Oromocto's Adam MacDonald while Jones bounced Fredericton's Alex Robichaud 9-3 in seven ends.

The 2022 New Brunswick Tankard is currently being held as a triple knockout event. The provincial championship began Wednesday, February 9 and will run through February 13th at the Miramichi Curling Club in Miramichi, New Brunswick. Games throughout the week are being streamed through various teams' Facebook pages. Two draws will be played Friday at 1:30 PM, and 6:30 PM Atlantic Time. The playoffs get underway Sunday with the semifinal and final games.

SCORES and STANDINGS at www.CurlingZone.com.

To top ↑