Mike McEwen, joined by Third B.J. Neufeld, Second Matt Wozniak and Lead Denni Neufeld, have successfully defended their title as Manitoba Champions.
McEwen defeated the top seed, Reid Carruthers, 8-7 at the Viterra Championships in Portage la Prairie, on Sunday. Down by one in the eighth end, McEwen took full advantage of a couple of Carruthers half-shots and aggressive strategy in scoring four. Carruthers chose to take one in the ninth rather than attempt a blank. The theory being it is easier to steal two than score three with last rock. A well played tenth end left McEwen with a cautious hit for the win, the coveted Manitoba buffaloes, and a trip to St John's, NL, for the Tim Hortons Brier, March 4-12, 2017.