1999 Brier
SLAM! Sports
SLAM! Curling
1999 BRIER
ON THE ROCKS
INTERACTIVE
ALSO ON SLAM!
Shymko ploughing through Brier field
The Brier rookie scored huge wins against Manitoba's Jeff Stoughton (7-6) and Nova Scotia's Paul Flemming (7-3) yesterday.
That bumped his record to 6-3. And the best part is he has the evening draw off.
But, he has some company. Russ Howard of New Brunswick knocked off Rich Moffatt of his former home province of Ontario 5-4. Howard is the percentage leader with a 6-2 record.
In another afternoon game, Guy Hemmings continues to struggle, dropping his third straight game, this time 8-3 to Glenn Goss of Newfoundland. And P.E.I.'s Robert Campbell also played the role of spoiler, knocking back Bert Gretzinger of B.C. 7-5.
Shymko has won five of his last six games since starting the week at 0-2.
"We made a lot of great shots in seven to set up that five,'' said Shymko. "We're kind of happy with the day and we can rest well now.''
Shymko was not given much of a chance, even in his own province, before heading to the Brier. Now, he can silence his critics.
"Everybody's got their own opinion,'' said Shymko. "We haven't been here, but we're a team that's been trying for a long time. We've played well all year. Again, we (Saskatchewan) haven't won since 1980 (Rick Folk) and we haven't had a very good record, but our guys are trying. We're doing our very best right now and sitting 6-3. We started out 0-2 and not too many people were giving us a chance then.
"We've been making a lot of good shots - a lot of good draw shots, we've been hanging around. Our bumper shots have been good and we're just kind of forcing the other teams. Once we get up, we get the peeling in motion. At the beginning of the week, we didn't get to do much peeling.''
Howard pointed out the obvious by saying it's still anybody's deal.
"This morning, we were one game out of ninth, so, yeah, it feels pretty good,'' said Howard. "We have just as good a chance of coming ninth in this thing as first. We've got to keep plugging along.
"When I looked at the draw, I said Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec would be very tough. We have them all in a row, so to win the first one is key. To lose that one, you're probably playing Manitoba for a playoff spot and that's no fun. I think we have a little bit of breathing room now and we can start thinking of first place.''