Top teams meet early 

By DOUG GRAHAM
THE WHIG-STANDARD
January 21, 2010
 

One of the most highly anticipated round-robin games at the Ontario men's curling championship in Napanee will come very early in the competition.

Defending champion Glenn Howard of Coldwater will play the team he beat in last year's final at Woodstock, Peter Corner of Brampton, on the second day (Feb. 2) of the competition.

The 11-rink 2010 Napanee Tankard draw was finalized on Tuesday.

There will be 11 draws, starting on Feb. 1 at the Strathcona Paper Centre and ending on Feb. 5.

At the end of round-robin play, the top four rinks will advance to the Page system playoff rounds on Saturday and Sunday.

Howard and his team of Richard Hart, Brent Laing and Craig Saville will be playing for their fifth consecutive trip to the Brier.

Howard's opening game, at 2 p.m. on Monday, will be against Jay Young of Brantford.

Every rink gets a bye round through the 11 draws. Howard's rink is off on the Friday afternoon draw, the second-last of the round-robin.

Stephen Paul, chair for Tankard 2010 Napanee, said ticket sales have been good.

"We've been happy that we have met goals for advance sales," Paul said.

"There is still a way to go. Now that we have all the teams, we're expecting that to spark more interest."

Full week general admission packages cost $100 and end-zone seating for the week is $120.

Weekend packages are also available, along with individual game tickets.

For ticket orders, call 613-354-4423 or go to the event website at www.tankard2010.com.

dgraham@thewhig.com