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Hemmings back on track
Guy Hemmings is back on track.
The charismatic Quebec skip won a key morning battle when he beat Russ Howard of New Brunswick 8-4.
Both skips had entered ThursdayÕs final round-robin day bunched up in an unprecedented five-way tie for first place with 6-3 records.
But Hemmings has company .
Nova ScotiaÕs Paul Flemming kept pace with a 7-6 extra-end win over B.C.Õs Bert Gretzinger, while ManitobaÕs Jeff Stoughton squeaked out a dull 6-4 victory over Orest Peech of the Territories.
The fifth man in the leading pack, Gerald Shymko of Saskatchewan, had the morning off.
ÒIt think weÕre assured of at least a tiebreaker,ÕÕ said Hemmings, who seems to have bounced back from a three-game mid-week losing streak. ÒI thought yesterday weÕd be in trouble, but I have to lift my hat to my team. They stepped up to the plate and played really well.ÕÕ
Hemmings said heÕs not surprised the team has been able to turn it on again.
ÒThe thing thatÕs characteristic our team over the last few years, weÕve played a lot of spiels, lose a couple of games early and qualify out of C,ÕÕ said Hemmings. ÒWe play a little bit better when we have our back on the wall. Today was more proof. Russ gave us a chance because he struggled with the stones, but we had the same kind of day yesterday.
ÒItÕs a good time to start playing better. I donÕt wonder which team will step out on the ice. I just hope itÕs the good one.ÕÕ
Stoughton also moved into a position where heÕs assured at least a tiebreaker spot.
ÒWin this afternoon and weÕre guaranteed something,ÕÕ said Stoughton. ÒIÕm not sure what weÕre guaranteed yet, but weÕre guaranteed top three anyway. If we win that game (against P.E.I.), then we donÕt have to worry about it.ÕÕ
Stoughton was not nearly as sharp as heÕd been during the week and heÕs looking for improvement heading into the playoffs.
ÒIt was one of those games where the guys hung in and we made a great shot in five to score three,ÕÕ said Stoughton.
In the other game, OntarioÕs Rich Moffatt kept his playoff hopes alive with an extra-end 9-8 win over Glenn Goss of Newfoundland. The win imporoved MoffattÕs record to 6-4.