SAULT STE. MARIE, February 7…There’s now a three-way tie for the lead in the men’s championship at the 2008 M&M Meat Shops Canadian Juniors.

Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan are now equal with 7-2 records through Draw 13, with Prince Edward Island breathing down their necks at 6-3.

Thursday morning, Prince Edward Island, skipped by last year’s runner-up Brett Gallant of Charlottetown, upended leader Saskatchewan (Brennen Jones of Regina), 7-2, Ontario (Travis Fanset of St. Thomas) won a tight one over New Brunswick, 7-5 while Quebec (William Dion of Drummondville) was forced to an extra end before decisioning Northern Ontario, 9-8.  In the other game, Newfoundland and Labrador got by Nova Scotia, 8-5.

On the women’s side, leader Manitoba (Kaitlyn Lawes of Winnipeg) enjoyed a morning bye to remain at 7-1.  However, Nova Scotia (Danielle Parsons of Halifax) has joined the fray, now at 7-2, after a 7-5 win over Newfoundland and Labrador.  It was the ‘bluenosers’ sixth win in a row.

In third place is Alberta (Maria Bushell of Calgary), idle this morning at 6-2, while three others are within striking distance at 6-3…New Brunswick, Northern Ontario and Saskatchewan.

In other Draw 13 action, Saskatchewan rebounded from a crushing last-end loss Wednesday night to Alberta by defeating Prince Edward Island, 6-3; Northern Ontario (Ashley Miharija of Thunder Bay) lost its third straight game, 8-6 to Quebec while New Brunswick (Mary Jane McGuire of Fredericton) continued its roll, a 9-1 winner over Ontario, the sixth victory in its last seven games.

Round robin play continues at both Soo Curlers Association and Tarentorus Sports Club today, with draws at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

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