Irwin upsets McDonald to reach playoff round
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/02/2025 (301 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE – As self proclaimed slow starters, Steve Irwin’s Brandon rink rolled into the playoff round of the Viterra Championship in a hurry.
Irwin and his team of Travis Brooks, Travis Taylor, and Daley Peters upset the No. 2 seed Jordon McDonald 9-3 in eight ends in the early draw Friday morning, becoming the first team in the 32-team field to qualify for the playoff round of the provincial men’s curling championship.
It puts Irwin in a great spot as the team entered Friday night’s playoff round at 3-0.
McDonald’s young rink out of the Assiniboine Memorial Curling Club and coached by former Brandonite William Lyburn struggled to make shots in the early draw Friday morning, and Irwin capitalized and ended it quickly.
“That’s not a good game from Jordon. We’re not going to get that again, but taking advantage of it and being able to put points up when you can is such a big part of the game,” said Irwin.
“We’re adapting to the ice conditions and taking advantage of our breaks when they come.”
Irwin had three rocks biting the four foot in the second end with hammer, while McDonald had two in the house. Irwin made a fantastic final shot to remove both reds and stick to count four and lead 4-1.
He then set up another tough end for McDonald and capitalized in the fifth, drawing to the button for three more and a commanding 7-1 lead.
The teams shook hands after Irwin drew for another a deuce in seven to secure the win.
“It’s great, a couple less ends for an old guy like me is always good,” said Irwin with a laugh.
“The goal is always to make Friday night and then everyone is even again. We’ve done that, so we want to keep the momentum going, and if we play like we have been we definitely have a chance.
“We’re really working good together. Even when we have misses, we talk about why and how and drop it and move on. The ice is changing, so we’re talking well about weights and hopefully we just continue to keep playing like this.”
Irwin’s team was in a great spot entering the playoff round, which began at 7:45 last night.
That game was underway at press time, but Irwin admitted their confidence is at an all-time high.
“We know we can give anybody a run,” he said. “We have all the shots, everybody can throw quiet and big weight when needed, so if we keep rolling we feel we can scare some teams.”
» mpackwood@brandonsun.com