Jason Gunnlaugson, Alex Forrest, Adam Casey and Connor Njegovan, representing the Morris Curling Club, have won the 96th Manitoba Men’s Curling Championship – the 5th Viterra Championship.
The first time champions defeated the reigning champion Mike McEwen West St. Paul team 7-4 in the Sunday afternoon final game at Eric Coy Arena.
Team Gunnlaugson jumped out to a 4-0 lead before giving up a three to McEwen on the fifth end.
After a blank, Gunnlaugson was forced to take one for a 5-3 lead after seven ends and it looked like momentum might be switching in McEwen’s favour. Gunnlaugson made a big weight double kill on eight and left McEwen a draw for two. He came up short of the rings and trailed 5-4 after eight ends.
Team Gunnlaugson scored two more on nine and ran Team McEwen out of rocks coming home.
Gunnlaugson and his Morris team will represent Manitoba at the Brier in Kingston. The McEwen foursome will also be in Kingston for the Friday night Wild Card game.
