This one was over early.

VernonB次元官网网址檚 Erik Colwell was facing Langley/VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Tyler Tardi in the menB次元官网网址檚 final of the B.C. junior curling championships when two uncharacteristic misses blew the doors open leading to an eventual 9-2 final for Tardi in eight ends.

Colwell missed two open hits in the second end after a blank in the first by Tardi. Tardi made no mistake on his last, drawing for three. From there, Colwell found himself chasing the game trying to push the offence.

B次元官网网址淚t was probably one of the best weeks of curling IB次元官网网址檝e ever played. I felt like I was making everything and it really grew my confidence. It was a good week, just fell short in the finals,B次元官网网址� Colwell said after the medal ceremonies Tuesday.

B次元官网网址淲e felt like the ice was curling a little bit more, but early when we gave up a three in the second, it just kind of fell apart from there after I flashed two in a row,B次元官网网址� Colwell said. B次元官网网址淚 guess I was throwing it different than I was the rest of the week and it just curled up on me because I threw them right at the stick with the weight and it didnB次元官网网址檛 didnB次元官网网址檛 do what I thought it would do.B次元官网网址�

On top of those early errors, Colwell had a couple of bad breaks add salt to the wounds.

B次元官网网址淢y hit for two in seven went sideways out of my hand. We got unlucky in the third end. It needed to curl up an inch and we would have got one in that end,B次元官网网址� he said.

Tardi said playing in a TV game can overwhelm those new to the experience.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e had quite a few TV games and I donB次元官网网址檛 think anyoneB次元官网网址檚 really fully prepared for it their first time and itB次元官网网址檚 tough, IB次元官网网址檝e been in that spot, too. You just want to play well, and if youB次元官网网址檙e struggling it kind of amplifies,B次元官网网址� Tardi said, with a depth of empathy and a nod to Colwell.

B次元官网网址淭hey got some unfortunate breaks, IB次元官网网址檓 not going to lie, but we played our hearts out and we played really well and made a couple of key shots that game,B次元官网网址� Tardi added.

Still, the Langley/Victoria team was lights-out in the final and deserved full marks for the win, Colwell said.

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e really good and they play well with a lead. They didnB次元官网网址檛 miss any peels. They throw it hard enough and they throw it so straight itB次元官网网址檚 tough to beat them,B次元官网网址� Colwell said. B次元官网网址淵ou could see why theyB次元官网网址檙e back-to-back national champions.B次元官网网址�

TardiB次元官网网址檚 big hit weight was a differentiator all week, and that was the killer arrow in their quiver in the final.

B次元官网网址淲e let that be a pretty big part of our game in holding leads. WeB次元官网网址檝e been working on that for the past five or six years and itB次元官网网址檚 become a big edge in our game, and here it really showed,B次元官网网址� Tardi confirmed.

Always the debate in curling playoffs is the impact of the day off on the first-place team: Does it help or hinder your performance? The waiting, Tom Petty would tell you, is the hardest part.

B次元官网网址淲e had a day off which is always a bit of a tough go, just because youB次元官网网址檙e sitting around. We were trying to do as much as we can to make the day fly as fast as possible,B次元官网网址� Tardi said. B次元官网网址淣obody wants to just sit around and you feel like itB次元官网网址檚 been a week since youB次元官网网址檝e played. We know that feeling and weB次元官网网址檝e been prepared for it, so it helped out today.B次元官网网址�

For Colwell, the lopsided final will leave a bad taste for a bit, but in time he will come to appreciate what they accomplished during the week.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not happy right now, but IB次元官网网址檓 happy with the week,B次元官网网址� Colwell said with a sigh. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been the best IB次元官网网址檝e seen this team play. We beat Tardi early in the week, so thatB次元官网网址檚 something to grow on for next year. Hopefully, our team stays together and we can give it another shot next year. We can only grow from here. We got second place. IB次元官网网址檝e never been in a provincial final and it was a good experience. I wish I could have enjoyed it a little more with a closer game. It was tough to enjoy it after the first couple of shots.B次元官网网址�

Scoring summary

First end was blanked by Tardi.

Second end B次元官网网址� see above.

In three, Colwell was facing a very tricky slash hit to score, but just missed and gave up a steal of one.

Tardi split the house with a pair of counters in four forcing a hit and stick, but Colwell missed another open hit and gave up two.

It was a clean house again in five, with Colwell deciding to hit the scoreboard with a hit and stick rather than try to blank. It was 6-1 going into the break.

Tardi hit and stuck for one facing three in six.

In seven, Colwell had a double and sit for two, but it appeared his rock picked and he gave up a steal of two.

Likely knowing they were about to shake hands, Tardi drew open side with his last giving Colwell an open hit to score a single with a hit and stick in the eighth and final end.

Team Tardi B次元官网网址� made up of skip Tyler Tardi, third Sterling Middleton, second Matthew Hall, lead Alex Horvath and coach Paul Tardi B次元官网网址� will represent B.C. in the Canadian junior curling championships from Jan. 19 to 27 in Prince Albert, Sask.

Now that they own the province, Team Tardi can devote themselves to prepping for their return visit to nationals.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 always a thought in the back of your head whenever youB次元官网网址檙e playing, and for most Canadians, itB次元官网网址檚 the ultimate goal just to play in that,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪ince weB次元官网网址檙e doing that we can think about it as soon as possible, maybe celebrate for a bit and get back going at it. WeB次元官网网址檙e ready for some big fights.B次元官网网址�

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Email me john.white@vernonmorningstar.com

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