Umzug » to the Brier. Next year in Calgary is the first year Team Can

KAMLOOPS, B.C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again. After struggling a little to make the final game, Koe emerged with his second Canadian mens curling championship, after a dominating 10-5 win over John Morris and British Columbia. "Thats the way we kind of do it sometimes," Koe said. "We cant seem to get firing on all cylinders all the time." Koe could have finished first at the Tim Hortons Brier this week but he lost his last round-round game to Quebec and created a three-way tie for top spot with B.C. and Manitoba. The tiebreaking formula gave B.C. hammer and choice of rocks in the 1-2 Page playoff game, which they won. Koe then had to play Quebec again, after they beat Manitoba in the 3-4 game to get into the final. Hes used to it, since he had to fight even harder to win his first title in 2010 when he came up from the 3-4 game. Alberta capitalized on B.C.s mistakes to score three big three-enders. If not for the needs of television, the handshakes would likely have come in eight but they played nine ends. It was a crushing end to a Cinderella week for Kamloops native son Jim Cotter, who throws fourth stones for B.C. and had been solid all week but made some of those mistakes that cost his team the game Sunday. "Jimmy had some uncharacteristic misses there and we were fortunate and when it did happen, we really capitalized," said Koe. "The first three was the big one." The numbers told the tale. Koe shot 92 per cent, Cotter 82 and B.C. skip and third stone Morris was at 72 per cent. "We just missed a couple of too many shots early," said Morris. "We were just a little bit fooled by the ice." This is the second loss in the big game in four months for the Morris-Cotter rink. They also lost the final at the Olympic trials to Brad Jacobs in December in Winnipeg. "Whether its in front of your home fans or in front of Winnipeg fans or wherever, its no fun," said Cotter. "Obviously you want to win, but thats curling, thats the way it goes. "They were bang on. They were making everything. Its tough to come back from that." As for what the future holds, he couldnt say. "I really havent thought too much about the future. . . I guess over the next few weeks or what not well reflect a little bit and kind of see where things are at and go from there." Uncertainty also hangs over Alberta, which, with the win, is now only one behind Manitobas record 27 Brier victories. Second Carter Rycroft, whose wife is pregnant, has said hes taking a year off curling and the win didnt change his mind. He was also named the most valuable player and shot 96 per cent in the final game. "This is it as far as me not curling next year," he said emphatically. Koe doesnt know what he future holds either. "I dont know what will happen with that, we havent talked about it, we havent even thought about," he said. "Nows the time to celebrate this win and well look forward to (being) Team Canada (at the world championship) in China and whatever happens, happens." Canadian Curling Association rules require that Team Canada retain at least three players to return to the Brier. Next year in Calgary is the first year Team Canada will automatically get a berth in the Brier. Its also the first year the bottom finishers will have to play their way in. Over the last three years, thats Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, as well as new entrants Nunavut and a separate Yukon team. The Brier went well for B.C. until Sunday night, although they finished in a three-way 9-2 tie with Manitoba and Alberta at the top of he round robin. They beat Alberta in the 1-2 game to move straight to the final and opened well with a deuce in the first end, setting the sellout home-town crowd into a frenzy. But Alberta responded with a three in the second end after Morris was heavy and rolled through. Cotter did the same thing in four when he flashed on a freeze attempt, had to draw for one and accomplished that only by a slim margin. In five, with rocks scattered around the 12, Cotter lost his shooter, letting Koe gently tap a B.C. rock back to score another three. A final three in the sixth end made it 9-4. Earlier in the day, Manitobas Jeff Stoughton took the bronze medal winning 9-5 in nine ends after scoring two in the first and stealing two in the second on a missed Quebec runback. But both Stoughton and Quebec skip Jean-Michel Menard said it was a game they dont even think should be part of the Brier. "Ill try to be nice, but this game shouldnt exist," said Menard. "Its useless." DaNorris Searcy Panthers Jersey . Vonn flew back to Vail, Colo., last week after hurting her surgically repaired right knee at a downhill race in France. "Her knee was swollen again after Val dIsere," U.S. womens head coach Alex Hoedlmoser told The Associated Press. Rashaan Gaulden Jersey . Catch the action live on TSN2 at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. The Wild lead the Northwest Division and look to get back into the win column after having a season-high seven-game winning streak cut short with Tuesdays 2-1 loss at Winnipeg in the finale of a five-game road trip (4-1-0). http://www.shoppanthersonline.us/panther...es-blue-jersey/. In the late match, Shinji Okazaki scored two goals to pace Mainz to a 3-2 victory at Werder Bremen. Goals from Milan Badelj, Maximilian Beister and Hakan Calhanoglu ended Hamburgs two-match losing run and kept Hannover winless in seven games. Donte Jackson Panthers Jersey . To get things started, heres a little photo tour to get you acquainted with all the main characters. Carolina Panthers Jerseys .com Tours Nova Scotia Open. The 27-year-old Sloan, a former Texas-El Paso player from Calgary matched first-round leader Rodriguez at 10-under 132 on Ashburn Golf Clubs New Course.Atlanta, GA (SportsNetwork.com) - Paul Millsap filled the stat sheet with 20 points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals as the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-100 for their 16th straight victory. The Hawks set a franchise record with their 15th consecutive win on Friday night and have won 29 of their last 31 games in all. Al Horford posted 19 points, six boards and four assists, while Jeff Teague added 15 points and seven helpers for Atlanta, which hasnt lost being routed by the Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 26. The Hawks previously won 14 in a row from Nov. 16 - Dec. 14, 1993, the last season in which they won a division title. Were playing good basketball. Its exciting, Horford said. Thaddeus Young recorded 26 points, seven assists and six rebounds to lead the Wolves, who have dropped four in a row. Dennis Schroders layup in the waning seconds of the opening quarter staked Atlanta to a 25-24 edge ggoing into the second, where the Hawks began to pull away.dddddddddddd. They started the period on a 12-2 run, in which Mike Scotts 3-point play preceded a Kyle Korver technical free throw which capped the surge for a 37-26 advantage at the 8:47 mark. Teague sunk a pair of foul shots in the final second of the second quarter to give Atlanta a 61-47 cushion going into the break. The Hawks were up 86-77 after three quarters and Minnesota never cut the deficit below six in the final frame. This is a game that shows our guys how we have to compete, Minnesota head coach Flip Saunders said. Game Notes Atlanta reached the 100-point mark for the 12th time during its historic stretch ... The Hawks have beaten the Wolves 12 straight times at home ... Six Hawks scored in double figures ... Minnesota has lost 20 of its last 22 games ... Atlanta scored 21 points off 17 Wolves turnovers. Authentic Steelers Jerseys Authentic Cowboys Jerseys Authentic Raiders Jerseys Authentic Chiefs Jerseys Authentic Eagles Jerseys Authentic Redskins Jerseys Authentic Falcons Jerseys Authentic Ravens Jerseys Authentic Browns Jerseys Authentic Cardinals Jerseys Authentic Bills Jerseys Authentic Panthers Jerseys Authentic Bears Jerseys Authentic Bengals Jerseys Authentic Texans Jerseys Authentic Broncos Jerseys Authentic Lions Jerseys Authentic Packers Jerseys Authentic Jets Jerseys Authentic Dolphins Jerseys Authentic Patriots Jerseys Authentic Jaguars Jerseys Authentic Titans Jerseys Authentic Chargers Jerseys Authentic Giants Jerseys Authentic Saints Jerseys Authentic Buccaneers Jerseys Authentic 49ers Jerseys Authentic Seahawks Jerseys Authentic Rams Jerseys Authentic Vikings Jerseys Authentic Colts Jerseys ' ' '