Lucky 13 provincials for Ziola?

By Steve Green
London Free Press
January 23, 2010

Will it be lucky 13 for Kirk Ziola at the Ontario men's curling championship? Based on the lineup assembled for the Feb. 1-7 Tankard in Napanee, one might think he needs all the luck he can get.

Yet the Highland skip is quietly confident of his chances.

With veteran third Darcy Tomchick and a front end of second Scott McDonald and new lead Paul Moffatt, Ziola won the A side at the regional playdowns in St. Catharines to make it to his 13th provincial tournament -- including three in Saskatchewan, where he was champion in 1983 and went on to the Brier.

"The guys are playing well," Ziola said. "With Paul being the new guy, we've had to mix him in, but we feel pretty good, really excited about what we're doing. Paul's brought a tremendous part to the team. He's automatic to the top eight-foot. If the other team comes around a centre guard, he'll make the freeze on it every time and that's huge.

"I'll need to be able to hit the pin when I need the pin and I'll need to hit and roll when I need to hit and roll."

The huge favourite will be four-time defending champion Glenn Howard of Coldwater, who will no doubt look to ease the pain of having lost the Olympic trials final to Kevin Martin of Edmonton and received an automatic entry to the provincials.

Sarnia native Mark Bice, curling out of Tara, is also entered.

The winner represents Ontario in the Tim Hortons Brier, March 6-14 in Halifax.