CurlingZone: Dunstone wins opener at Soo Curlers as 'Home Team'

Ryan Harnden (photo: Michael Burns, Curling Canada) is pulling double duty at this week's Soo Curlers Fall Classic presented by Kioti.

The Team Matt Dunstone lead will be competing in the 21-team bonspiel in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., and is also the event organizer.

All games will be streamed on CurlingZone's Youtube channel utilizing the newly installed Curling Stadium platform at the YNCU Curling Centre in Sault Ste Marie.

Dunstone opened the scoring stealing 1 in the first end, then forced Brian Adams Jr. of Thunder Bay to a single in the second end. Dunstone scored 3 in the third end, then forced Adams Jr. to a single in the fourth end to lead 4-2 at the halfway point.

Dunstone scored 2 in the fifth end, Adams Jr. responded in the sixth end scoring 2 with Dunstone scoring 3 in the seventh end for the 9-4 win.

"I think we're going above and beyond what you typically see at these curling club events," Harnden said. "We've got bleachers on the ice and we've got a nice fan zone out there. We've done it right, to be honest with you.

"We've spent the money with advertising so our ticket sales are very good."

Harnden said about 250 full-event passes have been sold and there could be about 300 people on site for some draws at the YNCU Curling Centre.

Dunstone plays next on Thursday evening against Scott Dunnam of Philadephia, PA at 7:30 pm Eastern Time.

Dunstone's Manitoba-based side is one of the big names in the field along with Italy's Joel Retornaz, John Shuster of the United States, Manitoba's Reid Carruthers and Ontario's Glenn Howard.

Some local entries are also in the mix along with a college team, some international rinks and teams from around the province and out east.

"I want to make this an event where everyone is welcome to play in it," Harnden said. "It's not only the top 16 teams in the world. I want to make sure that these up-and-coming teams and teams that are chasing to get to the Slams have the same opportunities as us.

"Playing in an (event with a) large-scale purse with nice points (is great). These points for us are big because they all go towards funding and trials spots. And being able to host one in my hometown, being able to play and in front of family and friends is a nice perk."

Harnden said after thinking about organizing an event for a few years, he finally approached his uncle - Al Harnden - with the idea. Plans were soon in motion.

"We sat down and it evolved from there," he said.

Local tourism officials got involved and sponsors got on board. The event boasts a significant purse of $90,000.

"It's a great purse and I think it'll only be bigger next year," Harnden said. "Being a first-year event, there's a lot of learning curves but I think next year it'll only be bigger and better."

Competition begins Thursday at the eight-sheet facility and all games will be streamed.

"It's very attractive for the teams to be able to go to these events and know that every game you're playing, you're going to be on a live stream," Harnden said. "It helps with family, friends and your sponsors to be able to follow you. That was a big thing for us and our club was getting this installed."

"It's big for us, it's great for the sponsors that are supporting this event too so we can run their commercials during the broadcasts," he added. "It's a great thing to have and I think it's needed for sure to run one of these large-scale events."

Harnden is also planning some unique touches during the four-day competition, like moving the bleachers sheet-side for playoff games.

"It'll be almost like a little arena feel," he said.

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