Jacobson - Hess Final: STREAMING

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CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
Jacobson vs Hess

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Marsh - Eriksson Qualify

As always, the A-Side qualifiers get a Skins Game - a chance to make a bit more coin.  And this year, It's the young bloods

A-Side Qualifyer Team Marsh from Saskatoon

Team Marsh from Saskatoon sports curling's version of the Sedin Twins! These young Marsh boys, Kevin and Dan, along with mates Matthew Ryback and Aaron Shutra have quietly marched to the A-Side Final in the $50,000 Whites Drug Store Curling Classic.

"They even use Sedins' numbers on their curling jerseys."

Spectators were contemplating whether they were twins. "Well they certainly share the same build." "They are definitely brothers."

Three women discussed the possiblity of twinship while watching the early ends of Marsh's game agains their Saskatoon Nutana Curlinc Club mates, Team Korte. It was a hockey fan on the next bench, an eavesdropper, who spouted in the hockey jersey fact.  Sporting numbers 22 and 33, they are definitely having fun with the Canuk's Sedin twins.
"Well that clinches it,"  the women agreed.

And it was the fourth time Korte and March had met this season including a loss to them in the Point Optical in Saskatoon.  Korte had the veteran feel, runner-up in the 2013 Saskatchewan Tankard, but this time, when there was money at stake, Marsh exuded playful confidence. It seems getting out of the home down has given them a relaxed feel.  They are on a roll and their youth friendly demeanor has warmed them to the Swan River audience.

A-Side Qualifier Team Eriksson from Karlstad Sweden

And they will be up against another youthful team.  This time there are no twins, but yes, brothers Eriksson.  A team that is much higher in the WCT cash rankings - in 18th spot - and a chance to move up significantly, Team Eriksson from Sweden. They've had a grueling season with good results, QF's and CF's losses, and have regularly hit the money.  One of six European teams at this year's Whites, Team Eriksson downed perennial Whites qualifier Randy Bryden from the Callie Club in Regina in his qualifying game.  Until this loss, Bryden had notched up eight straight wins in WCT play this season, taking the big winnings in Medicine Hat in October.  Team Ericksson took an early four, and then Bryden started picking away, at the young Swedes, coming within a point and with a chance to steal a tie, but Eriksson shook off the dust of consecutive steals by Bryden and put him away to move into the money round and play the skins game today, at 1:30 pm Central Time.

Whites  THE SKINS GAME.

1:30 pm CST

Marsh of Saskatoon - $1000

vs

Eriksson of Sweden - $500

The championship final will be streamed.  Monday at 4pm Central time. Follow here for links.

First Draw Times for Friday

Entries to Date

It's a month until the qualifying round of the $50,000 16th annual Whites Drugstore Curling Classic.

There are still several openings - but the field at this point is 25% European!  There are several returning teams and as usual, the Saskatchewan contingent is heading to Swan for the purse.


From Switzerland:
 
Pascal Hess - Florian Meister,, Meico Oehninger, Stefan Meienberg   
Peter De Cruz - Benoit Schwarz, Dominic Maerki, Valentin Tanner

Bernie Wetheman - Yves Hess, Bastian Brun, Paddy Kaser

From Sweden:

Oskar Eriksson - Kristian Lindstrom, Mankus Eriksson, Christoffer Sundgern




From Saskatchewan: 

Brad Heidt - Drew Heidt, Mitch Heidt, Kyle George
Josh Heidt - Brock Montgomery, Matt Lang, Dustin Kidby
Joel Jordison - Jason Ackerman, Chris Haichert, Curt Horwath
Randy Bryden - Troy Robinson, Brennen Jones, Trent Knapp
Brock Virtue - Braeden Moskowy, Chris Schille, DJ Kidby
Jason Jacobson - Clint Dieno, Dane Roy, Matt Froehuch
Bruce Korte - Dean Kleiter, Roger Korte, Rob Markowsky
Kevin Marsh - Matt Ryback, Daniel Marsh, Aaron Shutra
Terry Martniuk - Yorkton
Jeff Hartung - Kody Hartung, Tyler Hartung, Clair Decock

From Manitoba:

Brent Scales - Gord Hardy, *.*, Todd Trevellyan
Dennis Bohn - David Bohn, Dillon Dednarek, Larry Solomon
Richard Daneault - Chris Galbraith, Braden Zawnda, Mike Neufeld
Sean Grassie - Corey Chambers, Kody Janzen, Stuart Shiells
Neil Watkins - *,*.*

  

New Silver Sponsors for Whites 2013

Whites is pleased to welcome three new businesses to our loyal group of SILVER sponsors, many who have been with us since the beginning.

CKDM

Cook & Cooke

Flaman Group

Formo Motors

Home Hardware

Investors

Larry Kobelka Drywall

Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries

McKay Real Estate & Auction

Mullen Plumbing

NAPA

Nykolaishen's

OK Tire and Auto

Phatboys

Powell Motors

Prairie Security Services

Richardson Pioneer

Riddell's Plumbing

Sauder Trucking

Spruce Products

Subway

Super 8

Swan Valley Co-op

Swan Valley Credit Union

Swan Valley Dental

Swan-Pas Refrigeration

Valley Bearing and Auto

Valley Meat Packers

Westwood

Y Not Johnnys

 

Our Bronze sponsorship group participants donate services, products, time, and or money to Whites.

2013 Whites Entries are Arriving

Teams are writing Whites into their money earning curling schedule.  It's the 16th annual!

November 8-11 - with the championship round on the Monday - a day of remembrance.

Because the the grand purse, Whites attracts the world's best.  And the location is also great - a reasonable road trip for Manitoba and Saskatchewan teams.  And teams will also come by air - private planes (Swan has a great little air port) or with a rental car from Regina - a bit of a trip (3hrs) - but so worth it.  Teams also drive up from North Dakota and Minnesota, and Whites has a history of European teams making the trip.

Why?

The Ice.  The ice at the Whites is reliable, keen, and world class.  Swan River Curling Club is a 6 sheet open, arena style club, with great viewing.  It is an easy event because the community is small enough to be convenient - 5 minutes to the club from anywhere - and the hospitality is easy going.

The WCT page shows that KMart won it two in a row, a few years back.  What it fails to show us is that he also shot for the big bucks in 2012 but the field was too tough - and it's getting tougher. Great teams love Whites.

Get your entries in. Contact Brent Scales
E: bscales@mymts.net
P: 204-734-0002

And keep following to see who is in the mix.

While you are here, take a gander at the sponsor participation - this is an event that draws attentive regional crowds of folk who know the background on all of the teams and appreciate the feisty nature of the WCT 8-end contests.

 

McEwen Triumphant. White's Endures

 

Intimate brush with curling fame.

An era has passed. White's Drug Store has been sold. The Nahnybidas are moving toward retirement. On Friday evening, the first night of the 14^th annual White's Drug Store Curling Classic, curlers and committee members honoured the long-standing Gold Sponsor of the White's for their great contribution to world class curling, and there were a few tears shed with the memories of the past 14 White's Classics.

The Draw.

But the curling continued. The best teams in the world were curling on the best ice in Manitoba, aiming for the $51,500 in prize money, and for the Manitoba teams, a berth to the Manitoba Safeway Championships in Neepawa in February. The curling fans swamped to the draw board and were meticulous about their updates.

For the first time, the Whites was streamed out to the internet via Ustream. Local filmmaker, Kevin Penner volunteered his camera and PC and sheet three was set up for streaming. Eleven games were streamed and the link was tweeted across curling circles and around the world. Over 2000 people caught games on sheet three via the Ustream feed. Lorna Spicer and John Caruk also served as video crew for the streams.

Martin & BJ sweep Morris's shot. McEwen holds the broom. !?!

At 11 am, on the dot, on Sunday morning, all games were stopped. The teams moved along side the commemorative wreath at the back of the rink for a solemn ceremony of remembrance, and then it was back to business.

The greatest curlers in the world were on the ice. Six Olympic medalists (Team Martin - 2010, Mark Nichols – 2000, and John Shuster 2006 , USA), World Champions, WCT Money leaders. Really the best of the best were standing shoulder to shoulder with the fans.

Streaming sheet three.

11:00 am.  A pause to Remember.

And there were upsets. And there were amazing shots. And there was a bit of broom banging and lots of laughter. Teams McEwen and Martin earned the right to play in the $1500 skins game by virtue of their A-Side qualifying wins. They decided to “Mix it Up” as Kevin Martin put it. It would be the Front Enders from both teams (Kennedy, Heibert, Denni and Woz) against the big guys: Martin McEwen Morris and BJ. It was really interesting to see Kevin Martin and BJ Neufeld sweeping John Morris's rock while Mike McEwen held the broom. You don't see that very often. In the end, it was Front End triumphant. $1050 to $450. There were lots of laughs and lots of big weight miracle shots. Unforgettable.

6 Sheets in Action.  Best in the world.

In the end, Mike McEwen's Winnipeg team took home the $12,000 big winnings and the 21 CRTS points that will help theme advance their way to the Olympic Curling Trials next December in Winnipeg. Randy Bryden of Regina, defeated Team Martin in the semi-final only to go down to McEwen in the final. This was his second time as a runner-up at the Whites. His $9000 winnings made the loss a bit easier to handle. Terry McNamee's Brandon/Pilot Mound foursome took home the floating MCA berth and will be after the provincial Tankard in Neepawa this February.

Between the Semifinal and Final games, the Whites committee opened the PA system and made an announcement. Rumours and discussion had been drifting around the club all weekend about the future of the White's Drug Store Curling Classic. Would this be the last year? To a curler, all agreed that would be a real shame.

“Too many of the good events have been shutting down,” said qualifying skip, Jeff Hartung of Langenberg. Hartung, curling with two of his sons, knocked off Stoughton in B to qualify and earned $4000 for that win. “This location is great for the Saskatchewan teams. We would really miss this event if this was the last of it.”

Well, his worries were put to rest. The White's committee announced that the new owner wanted to make it known that they would continue as title sponsor for the White's. There was an audible sigh of relief followed by grateful applause.

This White's was the best yet. The blizzard may have reduced the number of curling fans who came to watch, but the curlers all made it before the big storm hit, and the streaming reached many curling fans who were unable to attend.

The White's Drug Store Curling Classic has become a legacy. The curlers love it. They'll be back.

Qualifiers & Streaming

Congratulations to the 2012 White's Drug Store Curling Classic Champion

Team McEwen
Skip Mike McEwen, Third BJ Neufled, 2nd Matt Wozniak, and Lead Denni Neufeld

Championship Final:  STREAMED 

 Bryden from Regina - 2

vs 

McEwen from Winnipeg - 4

Semi Finals:

STREAMED: McEwen vs Cotter - McEwan 5 Cotter 2

Bryden vs McNamee - Bryden 5 McNamee 4

Quarter Finals:

Martin vs Bryden - Bryden wins 7-6 EE

STREAMED: McNamee vs Heidt - McNamee wins 9-5

McEwen vs Stoughton - McEwen slaughters 8-0 in three ends

Hartung vs Cotter - Cotter wins 6-5

McNamee Team was awarded the berth the the Manitoba Safeway Provincial Championships.

CONTACT * theDraw * STREAMING

To recieve post game drawsheets, by email, contact the draw room crew at:

whitescurlingclassic@hotmail.ca 

Follow the linescores live, and Check the Draw

A simple one-Camera UStream
Streaming Sheet Three 
Saturday
noon. Hartung vs Shuster 3pm Cotter vs McNamee
6pm Stoughton vs McEwen  9pm Fowler vs Lyburn 
Sunday
noon. Grassie vs Manners 3pm $1500 Skins: McEwen vs Martin 
6pm J.Heidt vs S.Michel
9pm Grassie vs Cotter

Rubbing Shoulders

Hey! Armchair Curlers.

If you want to see the best curlers in the world, but are not keen on sitting through a two hour game, (the games are only eight ends in the World Curling Tour events), why not come to the club for the second half of the game? Come an hour after the draw begins. Have a drink, or a coffee. Watch the winning shots. Order a meal in the curling clubroom, have a visit and rub shoulders with, oh, I dunno, Kevin Martin? Mike McEwen? Or how about the Gunner, Jason Gunnlaugson, who went to curl in Russia and is now curling for Jim Cotter? Or maybe last year's Saskatchewan champs, the mild-mannered team Manners. Manitoba Champs, Rob Fowler will be here, and well, yah, Stoughton is coming too. Nothing like having a few world champions in the club. How about an Olympic Medalist... No, not Martin, we mean John Shuster (from Duluth Minnesota). He won a bronze in Turin in '06. Well, there's also the leading money winner from Europe, team Michel from Switzerland, and their arch rivals and countrymen, deCruz. The strong Saskatchewan teams are lining up for the $50,000 prize money... Laycock, Bryden, Hartung. And our loyal regulars, who know the ice the best, like Thompson's Sam Antila, and Willie Lyburn, provincial runner-up. This is going to be the best White's yet.

The fifteenth annual White's Drug Store Curling Classic takes place at the Swan River Curling Club this weekend, Friday November 9 – starting at 10 am until playoff time on Monday November 12. There are four draws every day. The games will pause for a Remembrance Day ceremony at 11am on Sunday.

Day passes are only $5. Weekend passes are only $15. Come for a visit, buy some refreshments. Enjoy the excitement. See you there.

Draw of 24

Top 8 Teams in the standings earned a bye into the second round of play.  In any old order:  McEwen Lyburn Cotter Stoughton Michel Fowler Martin deCruz.

Here's the draw. (click to enlarge)

Critical Mass

One of the Manitoba teams has dropped out of the White's.  Team Ramsay got their berth to the provincials last weekend in Gimli and despite the opportunity to play the best on the planet, they just can not make it to Swan River for the rumble.

So, we are one team short with a week to go. 

oops... UPDATE

  Thanks to Scott Madams Team from 

Winnipeg for stepping in off the waiting 

list.  Good Luck and Good curling guys.

We think the critical mass of this line-up will tease a top notch team into making the trip...  Hackner (on a roll), Jacobs (with Fry, who knows the ice), Koe (ever the rival, no the champ!), Epping (can whop the best of them).  Spread the word.

Call Gord 204-734-8767 or drop him an ... EMAIL

PRACTICE ICE

Teams will have practice ice available as follows:

Thursday after 8:30 pm.  2 or 3 sheets will be available right away, and the other three will open up when the men's league winds up their Thursday night draw.

Friday all day.  Two (outside) sheets will be available all day, from 10 am - 5pm for warm up and practice time.  Everyone knows the outside sheets are just as good as the other four.  No adjustments required.

See you soon.

Youth Power

Josh Heidt at the Helm

Josh Heidt has stepped out from under the veil of his ever present father's curling legacy.  In his last showing at The White's, Josh was with his dad and his brother, Mitch.  This year, he is at the helm.  He has his own team.  He wants to face some of the biggies and here is his opportunity raise the Heidt name.

From Kerrobert, Josh has Brock Montgomery, Matt Lang, and Dustin Kirby with him.  Youth is on their side.  White's fans love the reckless abandon of the young teams and expects to see some drama and excitement from these boys.

Cotter with a loaded Gunn

He's Baaayaaak.  But this time Jason Gunnlaugson has stayed in the country to find his curling destiny.  Flamboyant up and comer who fearlessly wowed the crowd at the Oly Trials before Vanoc2010, gambles professionally, considers relinquishing his Canadian Olympic rights to Moscow offers and now has landed with perhaps the meekest of contenders in the country.  But meek in a good way.  Quiet.  Determined.  Accurate.  The ever present Jim Cotter has also been shuffling positions and relationships on the ice, throwing the brick, calling the game, sweeping.  We don't hear much from him but his signature Cat Hat makes him instantly identifiable and when we see him we know the team will not be taken lightly.  What a match up.  Joining Jim and Gunner are Tyrel Griffith and Rick Sawatsky.  They are curling out of Kelowna/Vernon.  Good luck boys.

South of the Line

Team Shuster.  The four J's: John, Jeff, Jared and JohnII.  Skip, John Shuster has had a taste of the biggest podium in our sport, he got the Bronze in Turin in '06.  Since then, he's been climbing the ranks in the USA, as the skipper and now is clearly in the top five.  He sees himself heading to Sochi in 2014 and needs to face the music to test his mettle.   The Duluth foresome will cross the 49th and head up to The Valley so they can earn some points, some money and look their challengers in the eye.  Early season results have been strong for Team Schuster.  They took top prize in the St. Paul's Cash Spiel and qualified in the Point Optical in Saskatoon. Whites will be their 4th WCT event of the season.

John Shuster curls with Jeff Isaacson, Jared Zezel, and John Lansteiner

The Money Hunter

Yep. McEwen is in the mix.  We can see the smug grin and the determined posture.  Whites' here it comes.

Westman connections run deep at the Whites' so this will be a natural.

Ongoing Community Support

The recipe for a waiting list:

A Manitoba Safeway Championships Berth  +  Fantastic Community Support to BOOST THE PURSE TO $50,000 = The Best In The World and those who wanna be here.

We have a full court press for the Cash and the Berth.  The Ice is In and will be in Top Notch Condition for the Remembrance Day weekend and the White's.  What a Line-up.

Please Support our sponsors.  They selflessly donate cash to make this event happen.  The 15th Annual White's Drug Store Curling Classic is ready to roll.

Our gold sponsor, White's Drug Store welcomes our annual Silver Sponsors and our generous Bronze group.

Silver Sponsors.  Thanks for the Boost!

Bronze Sponsors contribute products, services or cash.

Any businesses wanting to participate in The White's this year, or in the future can contact Joyce, to get on board.

What's in a Name

Peters Galbraith Einarson Neufeld.  Not so young anymore and hunting for the chemistry to put it all together.  Whites fans have watched the young Peters mature from temper to tactics.  We love his sometimes radical shot decisions and his aggressive wins and play.  His team has seen it all too and if, no, WHEN this team clicks.  Watch Out.  The anger settles into determination and the experience ices the cake.  Daley Peters, Chris Galbraith, Kyle Einerson and Mike Neufeld have trekked up to The Valley to topple a few.

The Regina Shuffle.

Randy Bryden has knocked on the door of the Championship Final in the White's, and more than once.  He always leaves with money.  This year, he is bringing a different team.  A friendly rivalry will ensue should the former team mates meet, and as Murphy's Law dictates, they likely will.  But Bryden is a take-the-helm kind of guy and is great to watch.  He's a Saskatchewan Tankard regular.  He's methodical.  Steady.  Finalist in the MNP - Classic this season. Hungry. Great to have you back Randy.