Kimberley’s Buchy rink is off to the Canadian Direct Insurance 2016 B.C. Men’s Curling Championships after claiming victory at the Curl BC Men’s Kootenay Playdown in Fernie Dec. 12 to 13.
The Buchy rink, skipped by Tom Buchy and featuring Dean Horning (third), Dave Toffolo (second) and Darren Will (lead) edged Cranbrook’s Shypitka rink by an 8-6 margin in the final qualifier Dec. 13.
After the Shypitka rink took a 2-0 lead after three ends, the Buchy rink stormed back, putting up five points by the end of the sixth to take a 5-2 advantage. The Shypitka crew battled back to tie the contest in the 10th end before Buchy and his boys wrapped up the win in the 11th end.
The Shypitka rink, skipped by Tom Shypitka, is rounded out by Steve Tersmette (third), Chris Medford (second) and Josh Kennelly (lead).
To earn a place in the qualifier, Buchy’s rink was first tasked with beating the Umpherville rink from the Beaver Valley Curling Club.
The two sides went back and forth before the Buchy rink scored five points across the fifth and sixth ends to claim a 10-5 triumph.
Next, the Buchy rink turns its focus to the provincial championship, slated for Feb. 10 to 14 in Nelson.
A total of 13 teams have qualified for the provincial event.
The Royal City Curling Club (New Westminster) will be sending Team Johnson and Team Martyn. Team Schneider (Vancouver Curling Club) and Team Tardi (Langley Curling Club) represent the final of four teams to qualify from the Lower Mainland.
From the Okanagan, Team Richard (Kelowna Curling Club) and Team Longworth (Vernon Curling Club) will compete as well.
In addition to Team Buchy, Team Ducharme (Creston Curling Club) has also qualified out of the Kootenay region.
Vancouver Island will be represented by Team Craig (Victoria Curling Centre) and Team Dangerfield (Victoria Curling Centre).
The final three rinks rounding out the competition include the defending champion Team Cotter (Vernon Curling Club), Team Joanisse (Royal City Curling Club) and Team Geall (Royal City Curling Club).
The CDI 2016 B.C. Men’s Curling Championship is set to be televised on Rogers Sportsnet and takes place at the Nelson Curling Club from Feb. 10 to 14.
There are three remaining berths available for the championship, which will be awarded at an open qualifier in Salmon Arm from Jan. 8 to 10.
Team Buchy wished to extend their gratitude and thanks to Stephen Rota Management Ltd., Coal Valley Motor Products, Assanta Wealth Management, Caliper Hydraulics, Canadian Tire Cranbrook, Maple Leaf Forest Products, ABC Country Restaurant, Prestige Hotels and Resorts, B and B Glass, Coors Light, Sun Life Financial — Frank Vanden Broek, Kootenay Insurance Services, Remax Caldwell Agencies, Tyee Homes, the Kimberley Curling Club and the Sparwood Curling Club for their continued support.