Subscribe to Curling Scoops

Quarterfinal Fields Begin to Take Shape at the Grey Power Players' Championship

- Source: Capital One Grand Slam of Curling Press Release

Howard, Ferbey, Kleibrink, Bernard, Jones, Scott and McCarville all advance to the playoff round of the season's final Capital One Grand Slam of Curling event

GRANDE PRAIRIE, ALTA., April 16, 2009 – Defending champion Glenn Howard (Coldwater, Ont.) and Randy Ferbey (Edmonton, Alta.) secured the first two men’s quarterfinal berths while Shannon Kleibrink (Calgary, Alta.), Cheryl Bernard (Calgary, Alta.), Jennifer Jones (Winnipeg, Man.), Kelly Scott (Kelowna, B.C.) and Krista McCarville (Thunder Bay, Ont.) all advanced to the final eight of the women’s draw during the third day of play at the Grey Power Players' Championship, the final 2008-09 Capital One Grand Slam of Curling event, taking place at the Crystal Centre in Grande Prairie, Alta.

Howard earned a berth in the quarterfinals after defeating Wayne Middaugh (Midland, Ont.) 7-3 while Randy Ferbey (Edmonton, Alta.) upset top ranked Kevin Martin (Edmonton, Alta.) 6-5.

In the women’s draw, Jones rallied to defeat Crystal Webster 6-5, Scott slid past Michelle Englot (Regina, Sask.) 8-7 and McCarville squeezed past Sherry Middaugh (Coldwater, Ont.) 5-4.

Earlier today, Kleibrink advanced to Friday’s playoff round with a 10-4 win over Jones while Bernard powered past Middaugh 8-2.

Team Ferbey jumped on Martin to start their game as fourth Dave Nedohin made a long run back to score three points in the opening end.

"Obviously getting that three set them on their heels a little bit," said Ferbey.

After Martin rallied to tie the game at 5-5 heading into the final end, Nedohin made a draw to the button on the game’s final shot for a one-point victory.

"Most games that we play – some have been blowouts – but this is typical of us," added Ferbey. "Tied up coming home. Normally (Martin has) last rock but this time we had last rock. Dave made a couple good shots in the last end and that was the difference."

Howard picked up his third consecutive victory of the tournament after scoring four straight points in the middle ends to pull away.

Tied at 2-2 through three ends, Howard took a commanding lead in the fourth frame after executing a hit for three points. The 2007 World Champion then added a one-point steal in the fifth end to extend his advantage to 6-2.

"We didn’t miss much against Wayne and he never got us into trouble," said Howard. "Safe to say that as a collective unit I think this was our best game so far."

Despite the losses, both Martin and Middaugh can still advance to the quarterfinals as long as they win one of their possible two remaining games.

In this evening's women’s action, Jones remained in the hunt for her third Players' Championship title in four seasons after emerging from a hard fought battle with Webster.

Trailing 3-1 after four ends, Jones grabbed her first lead of the game in the fifth after executing a takeout for three points.

In the final end, Jones sealed the win after Webster's triple takeout attempt only removed one stone, allowing the reigning Canadian champion to score two points without throwing her final stone.

"Cathy (Overton-Clapham) made a great come around and Crystal got a bad break on her run through," said Jones. "On my first one it was just where can we not put this rock in a bad spot. So it worked out well and it's always nice not to have to throw last rock."

Earlier today, Jones faced off against Kleibrink with her first opportunity to advance to the quarterfinals.

The top seed in the women’s draw, Kleibrink broke open the game in the fifth end after Jones inadvertently picked her own rock on a two-point runback attempt. Jones’ miscue allowed Kleibrink to steal three points for a 5-1 advantage.

Jones rallied to pull within one point of Kleibrink heading into the final frame after scoring two points in the sixth end and forcing a steal of one point in the seventh.

In the eighth end, Kleibrink sealed the victory after executing a short run back to remove Jones' rock from the button, scoring five points.

"As long as I crossed the base a little bit we were good," said Kleibrink, referring to the game's final shot. "If I hit it too high, it might go over top. (Jones) made the best shot she probably could. That was a really good place to put (her final rock)."

Bernard won her third straight game after forcing Middaugh into consecutive three-point steals.

Tied at 1-1 after two ends, Bernard was able to place a cluster of rocks at the four-foot to guard the button. Middaugh was left with limited options on her final shot.

"We just kept locking stuff in on the four-foot," said Bernard describing her first three-point steal. "She really had nothing. She just about made that shot though and she could have got it for one with the long hit and roll. It was close."

Bernard was able to steal another three points in the fourth frame after Middaugh's final draw slid into the back of the house.

The Grey Power Players' Championship represents the final opportunity for teams to earn points towards securing a direct berth into the 2009 Canadian Olympic Trials event or a spot into the 2009 Canadian Olympic Pre-Trials tournament.

The Grey Power Players' Championship is also the final event where Canada's men's and women's teams to earn points towards the Capital One Cup.

Featuring a $170,000 purse, the Capital One Cup is a points-based competition that awards each curling team a point value based on their performance during each 2008-09 Capital One Grand Slam of Curling event. Following the conclusion of the Grey Power Players' Championship, the top men’s and women’s teams in the Capital One Cup standings will each receive a $50,000 (CDN) bonus. The second and third place men's and women's squads will each receive $25,000 (CDN) and $10,000 (CDN) respectively.

Featuring the top 16 men's and the top 16 women's teams from the 2008-09 season, Friday's draw times for the Grey Power Players' Championship are set for 10:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. MT respectively.

The top eight teams to advance through the knockout rounds will qualify for the tournament's quarterfinals. The women’s quarterfinals are set for Friday, April 17 at 8:30 p.m. MT while the men’s quarterfinals will take place on Saturday, April 18 at 4:30 p.m. MT.

As the official television broadcaster of the Capital One Grand Slam of Curling, CBC Television will air the women's final on Saturday, April 18 at 1:00 p.m. MT and the men's final on Sunday, April 19 at 10:00 a.m. MT. Additionally, on Saturday, April 18, CBC’s digital channel bold will present live coverage of the men's quarterfinals at 4:30 p.m. MT and live coverage of the men's semi-finals at 8:00 p.m. MT.

The men's and women's draw of the Grey Power Players' Championship features a total purse of $100,000. Each tournament’s winning team will receive $25,000.

Held annually since 2001-02, the Capital One Grand Slam of Curling is a series of eight premier men’s and women's events that boast Canada's deepest and strongest curling fields.

The Capital One Grand Slam of Curling is one of a select few events that are tied to the Canadian Curling Association's qualifying process for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Through their performance in the Capital One Grand Slam of Curling events, rinks can earn points towards securing a berth at the 2009 Canadian Trials or the 2009 Canadian Pre-Trials event.