Defending champs are back at the Brier

Provincial play in Ontario, on the road to the 2013 Tim Hortons Brier, finished up Feb. 10 and the results were as most expected, with a pair of veteran teams returning to the Canadian Men’s Curling Championship. Defending Brier and world champion Glenn Howard defeated Joe Frans in the final for his eighth consecutive provincial championship and the right to represent Ontario in Edmonton’s Rexall Place, March 2-10. Howard will be shooting for a fifth Brier Tankard in a record-breaking 15th appearance at the national championship, moving him ahead of his brother Russ. He will also be extending his record of 182 games played at the Brier. Howard returns with last year’s championship squad consisting of third Wayne Middaugh, second Brent Laing and lead Craig Savill. In the Northern Ontario playdowns, Brad Jacobs of Sault Ste. Marie earned a sixth trip to the Brier with a 6-5 win over Robbie Gordon. It marks the fourth consecutive title for Jacobs and his front end, E.J. Harnden and Ryan Harnden. The newcomer to the team this season, third Ryan Fry, also adds considerable Brier experience to the mix. Fry has previously represented both Manitoba and Newfoundland/Labrador on teams led by Jeff Stoughton and Brad Gushue. “You Gotta Be There” when the best teams in the country compete for the right to hoist the Tankard at the 2013 Tim Hortons Brier. Great seats in Rexall Place are available now by clicking here.