Peters loses chance for Select berth

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This article was published 29/01/2010 (5953 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG — It’s a rocky road a man has to walk, when the MCA Bonspiel is his last chance of earning a berth in the Safeway Provincial men’s championships, Feb. 10-14 in Steinbach.

Only five berths are available, and with 406 teams fighting it out at all 18 Winnipeg Curling Clubs, veterans such as Vic Peters of Fort Garry will tell you anything, and everything can happen along the way.

Heading into the 122nd MCA Bonspiel Thursday, Vic Peters’ Fort Garry team was considered by many to be one of, if not the best, teams which had not as yet won a berth.

Peters won his opening round game Thursday, but a spot in Steinbach, was not in the cards.

In today’s 9 a.m., draw he lost 7-4 to Brad Haight’s West Kildonan club, of third Trevor Loreth, second Ryan Loden and lead Bret Cawson.

The final nail in his hope chest of dreams came in the noon draw when he lost 5-4 to Mitchell Tarapasky and his Victoria CC team of third Kevin Shoemaker, second Les Sutherland and lead Clay Kitching.

In the mean time, Haight’s berth hopes got just a whole lot better. In the noon draw, Haight beat Scott Barth of Assiniboine Memorial 5-4 and going into the 9 p.m., draw he is undefeated at 3-0.

Peters exited the berth race amid fine company. Also playing without a berth, and touted as one of the best, Peter Nicholls of Deer Lodge found himself out of the hunt after losing a pair of games today. Mike Hebert of St. Vital beat him 6-2 in the morning draw, and then in the 3 p.m., draw he lost to Pepeto Bismoli of West St. Paul in a shocker 10-0. Nicholls had defeated David McLean of Assiniboine 6-3.

Peters, who won the provincials in 1992, 93 and 97, the Brier in 92, and lost to Scotland in the semifinal at the Worlds in 92, had no illusions about this bonspiel. “You go for the throat early against everybody. You live by the sword; you die by the sword. I mean four knee sliders can, on a give day, make enough shots to beat a pretty competitive team.”

“I think it was just a matter of who was going to miss the worst at the wrong time’” Haight said, “but we ended up coming out on top.”
Regardless of their disappointment, Peters says they plan to enjoy the rest of the bonspiel. “For sure. Win or lose, you have a few beers. That’s what curling is all about.”

Draws continue Saturday at noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m., and 9 p.m., at all Winnipeg Curling Clubs. To check out the draws and complete results, go to www.thecurler.com

allan.besson@freepress.mb.ca