Ottawa’s Howard Rajala Advances to the Championship Final!

Late Friday night, it appeared that Howard Rajala’s 8-3 record would not make a tiebreaker let alone the playoffs.  But a stumble by PEI in that last round allowed Ontario to slip in the playoff picture and now, are just one win away from bringing the title to Ottawa. In tonight’s semi final, Rajala exchanged deuces with Alberta’s Wade White until he was forced to one point in the 5th and a 5-4 lead. The pivotal end came right after the break where Rajala stole two to take a three point lead. A score of four in the 8th end finished the game and capped off a great day for Ontario who needed but 14 ends to dispatch two tough opponents. Rajala will face the winner of the round robin, Wayne Tallon of New Brunswick. Tallon earned the bye to the final by virtue of his 10-1 record: the only blemish, a loss to Ontario 6-3 in draw 10. Tallon’s team is comprised of Mike Kennedy who delivers last stone, Mike Flannery and Wade Blanchard from the Capital Winter Club in Fredericton. Rajala, Rich Moffatt, Doug Johnston and Ken Sullivan represent the Rideau CC in Ottawa. The final is set for Sunday, March 24 at 10:00am EST. The winner will represent Canada at the World Seniors at a site yet to be announced. The women’s final will also be played Sunday at 10:00am EST featuring 2009 Canadian champion Colleen Pinkney, Wendy Currie, Shelley MacNutt and Susan Creelman of the Truro CC against Alberta’s Deb Santos, Jackie Rae Greening, Diana Backer and Glenna Rubin of the St. Albert CC.