The provincial curling championships are coming to Sportsnet with cross-country action setting the stage for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and the Tim Hortons Brier.
Some interesting story lines have already emerged making these events ones you don’t want to miss.
Sportsnet’s provincial coverage kicks off with the Manitoba women’s championship where a new champion is set to be crowned. Jennifer Jones of Winnipeg will not defend the title as she holds the auto-berth to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts as Team Canada. Winnipeg’s Kerri Einarson, winner of the inaugural GSOC Tour Challenge Tier 2 event in September, has had to settle for runner-up at the past two provincials and eyes the opportunity to finally represent Manitoba.
Two-time Canadian champion Rachel Homan headlines the field at the Ontario Scotties where she returns to provincials for the first time since 2013. Homan and her Ottawa-based team are in the midst of a banner season having won a record three consecutive majors on the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling circuit.
Edmonton’s Val Sweeting looks for a three-peat in Alberta but her biggest challenge could come from rising rookie Kelsey Rocque. The back-to-back world junior champ from Edmonton has surged up the World Curling Tour’s order of merit rankings this season and could pose a threat for the title.
Men’s provincial championship action on Sportsnet begins with the Ontario Tankard where Toronto’s John Epping attempts to represent the province for the first time in his career at the Tim Hortons Brier. Epping is heating up at the right time having won consecutive tour titles at the Meridian Canadian Open and U.S. Open of Curling events. Fifteen-time champion Glenn Howard of Penetanguishene, Ont., is back in the mix after failing to qualify for provincials last year, however, vice skip Wayne Middaugh sustained a fractured tibia recently and his team is on the hunt for a suitable spare.
Manitoba could see another heavyweight tilt between Winnipeg’s Reid Carruthers and Mike McEwen. Team Carruthers edged out the No. 1 ranked rink on tour for the title a year ago and the two are once again near the top of the order of merit this season.
Draws airing on Sportsnet will also be streaming online at Sportsnet.ca/live, on the Sportsnet App, and Rogers Anyplace TV.
Women’s Provincial Championships
| Date | Province | Draw | Eastern Time | Pacific Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 23 | Manitoba | Page Playoff | 7 p.m. | 4 p.m. | Sportsnet ONE |
| Jan. 24 | Ontario | Semifinal | 9 a.m. | 6 a.m. | Sportsnet East & Ontario |
| Jan. 24 | Manitoba | Semifinal | 10 a.m. | 7 a.m. | Sportsnet West & Pacific |
| Jan. 24 | Alberta | Semifinal | 11:30 a.m. | 8:30 a.m. | Sportsnet ONE |
| Jan. 24 | B.C. | Semifinal | 2 p.m. | 11 a.m. | Sportsnet Pacific |
| Jan. 24 | Ontario | Final | 2 p.m. | 11 a.m. | Sportsnet East & Ontario |
| Jan. 24 | Manitoba | Final | 2:30 p.m. | 11:30 a.m. | Sportsnet West |
| Jan. 24 | Alberta | Final | 4 p.m. | 1 p.m. | Sportsnet ONE |
| Jan. 24 | B.C. | Final | 7 p.m. | 4 p.m. | Sportsnet ONE |
Men’s Provincial Championships
| Date | Province | Draw | Eastern Time | Pacific Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 7 | Ontario | Semifinal | 10 a.m. | 7 a.m. | Sportsnet ONE |
| Feb. 7 | Ontario | Final | 3 p.m. | Noon | Sportsnet ONE |
| Feb. 13 | Manitoba | Page Playoff | 7 p.m. | 4 p.m. | Sportsnet ONE |
| Feb. 14 | Manitoba | Semifinal | 10 a.m. | 7 a.m. | Sportsnet East, Ontario, West & Pacific |
| Feb. 14 | Alberta | Semifinal | 11:30 a.m. | 8:30 a.m. | Sportsnet ONE |
| Feb. 14 | B.C. | Semifinal | 2 p.m. | 11 a.m. | Sportsnet Pacific |
| Feb. 14 | Manitoba | Final | 3 p.m. | Noon | Sportsnet East, Ontario & West |
| Feb. 14 | Alberta | Final | 4 p.m. | 1 p.m. | Sportsnet ONE |
| Feb. 14 | B.C. | Final | 7 p.m. | 4 p.m. | Sportsnet 360 |
Note: TV schedule subject to change.