Family affair takes different paths
One Koe in the playoffs while the other avoids relegation
Martin Gavin
Special to Northern News Services
Published Friday, March 7, 2014
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
This year's national men's curling championship's version of the tale of two brothers played out differently for Jamie and Kevin Koe at the Tim Hortons Brier in Kamloops, B.C.
Kevin Koe will be on his way to the playoffs after a stellar performance at the 2014 Tim Hortons Brier in Kamloops, B.C. Jamie Koe, meanwhile, won't make the playoffs but managed to keep the NWT from playing relegation round curling beginning next year. - NNSL file photo |
Older brother Kevin has secured a spot in this weekend's playoffs while younger brother Jamie has solidified NWT a placement in the 2015 Brier in Calgary and avoiding the relegation round.
Pre-event favorite Kevin and his rink did not disappoint supporters this week. The Calgary-based foursome has been a continuous curling highlight reel, making amazing shot after amazing shot and sliding to the top of the leader board.
"We are making some good ones," said Kevin after a recent victory. "We are in the playoffs now ... but want to make the one versus two game."
He was referring to the unique Page playoff system used for curling which sees the top two teams after the round robin play for a bye to Sundays final and the loser plays the third place finisher in the semi final.
Fan favourite Jamie Koe's 2014 Brier week has been a different experience.
The Yellowknife Curling Centre squad was unable to recapture the magic from the 2012 Brier where they qualified for the playoffs.
This week, the Northern representatives posted a losing record.
"We just needed to make a few more," he said. "(The) team played well ... at this level, one mistake and you are in trouble. It's the Brier."
The Yellowknife crew can take solace from a huge achievement this week, however. Starting next year, the Brier requires a qualification to determine the Brier field based on performance over a three-year window.
In 2015, Yukon, Nunavut and the Brier teams with the lowest amount of wins in the previous three Briers will play off for two places in the 2015 edition.
Jamie and his team have secured the NWT's place in Calgary for 2015, avoiding relegation as a result of their solid performances during the last three Briers.
"I am happy the NWT is secured in the field for Calgary (and) it means a lotto Northern curlers," said Jamie.
