Kirkpatrick reaches playoffs at Senior Curling Provincials

Max Kirkpatrick is represented the host Swift Current Curling Club at the 2016-17 Affinity Credit Union Senior Men’s Provincial Curling Championship. Southwest Booster photo by Steven Mah

The Max Kirkpatrick rink won five straight games to reach the playoffs at the 2016-17 Affinity Credit Union Senior Men’s Provincial Curling Championship in Swift Current.

The Kirkpatrick rink, curling out of the Swift Current Curling Club, lost their opener 7-2 on Wednesday afternoon to Saskatoon’s Brian Humble.

They rebounded Wednesday evening with a 5-2 win over Moosomin’s Daryl Williamson to even their record on day one.

Kirkpatrick is joined by Greg Hannay, Mitch Minken, and Wayne Charteris.

The Kirkpatrick rink moved above the .500 mark Thursday morning when they stole two in the final end to clinch an 8-5 win over Kelvington’s Brent Franko.

He added a 10-1 win in four ends over Prince Albert’s Bryan Rindal that afternoon. Kirkpatrick scored four in the opening end, three in the third end, and then ended the game with a steal of three in the fourth end. The Swift Current rink finished Thursday with a 3-1 record in second spot amongst eight teams.

Kirkpatrick was back on the ice for two games Friday. He faced Kerrobert’s Brad Heidt at 2:30 p.m. won a back and forth game 7-5.

Kirkpatrick moved to 5-1 with an 8-5 win over Regina’s Randy Gilewich Friday evening.

Kirkpatrick wrapped up the round robin on Saturday morning with a 6-3 loss to Saskatoon’s Darrell McKee to place second with a 5-2 record.

Kirkpatrick met Humble in the second versus third game on Sunday morning and lost 6-3. The host rink led 3-2 after six ends but Humble counted a four-point end in the seventh to knock them out of championship contention.