Hi, this is Fred Wallace with ” Off the Wire ” proudly sponsored by Pete’s Auto Body.
Pete’s Auto Body; because we care about our community……
We’ve talked a lot over the last week about next year when the Port Elgin Curling Club will host the Ontario Men’s Tankard at The Plex.
Without question, the best men’s teams from across the province will be on hand, but my question today is, ‘ will there be a local rink in the mix ? ‘
Naturally, you have to win your way into the Tankard which is one of the most appealing competitive aspects of the competition. There’s no host rink. There’s no sponsors’ exemption. Win and you’re in.
In 2004 when the Blue Water Curling Club hosted the Tankard at the Harry Lumley-Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound, the Al Hutchinson rink had earned a berth in the Championship tournament.
After dropping their first two matches, Hutchinson’s foursome reeled off 4 straight victories to get right into the mix of teams fighting for a playoff spot.
I remember after the 4th victory watching Hutchinson walk up the ice and hearing the appreciative roar that followed him from the crowd of locals who knew what he and his rink mates represented.
Surely in all of Grey Bruce there are 4 or 5 guys who could form a ” Super Team ” and take a shot at not only getting to the Tankard but also of having a realistic shot at the title.
Curling insiders will tell me it’s possible, but they’ll also acknowledge, for a variety of factors, it’s easier said than done.
Still, as the organizing committee is pushing ahead with a thousand plans for preparation, I hope somewhere there’s a Grey Bruce rink, or collection of players that legitimately believe they can do it, planning for the competitive curling season that leads to the Port Elgin Tankard.
For Pete’s Auto Body I’m Fred Wallace