Randy Bryden’s Regina curling rink wins world senior men’s title

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Representing Canada for the first time in an international event, Randy Bryden’s Regina-based foursome won the world senior men’s curling championship on Saturday in Fredericton.

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“It felt kind of cool the first time, seeing the guys going backwards down the ice with their names on the backs of their Canadian jackets,” said Bryden.

“When it was over it was a relief, but it was awesome because we wanted to win and we really came through. It just feels great!”

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Bryden, third Troy Robinson, second Russ Bryden, lead Chris Semenchuck and fifth Glen Hill went undefeated through the competition, placing atop their pool with a 6-0 record before defeating Germany’s Andy Kapp 6-5 and Finland’s Tomi Rantamaki 6-3 in playoff games Friday. Russ and Randy are brothers who have curled together since the 1990s before adding Robinson a few years later. Semenchuck joined the team about six years ago.

Despite surrendering a first-end steal of three in Saturday’s final, the Canadians rallied to defeat Scotland’s Tom Brewster 10-7. A former world junior champion, Brewster has represented Scotland at four world championships and the 2014 Olympics.

“We stuck with it, got three the next end and led 9-7 coming home because we had three three-enders,” said Randy. “There were lots of rocks in play and it was great game to watch.

“The guys were playing well so that makes you more confident. To make that many three-enders in an eight-end game, you know we’re making some good shots.”

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Bryden said it was especially difficult defeating Kapp, a 14-time German champ, and Rantamaki.

“Every game we played we got asked if we had played the Finns yet and everyone said, ‘They’re a good team,’” said Bryden. “We found out afterwards they hadn’t lost a game all year.

“Something we also found out is that Canada has been in the final every year, all 22 years of the senior worlds. We knew Canada had won five straight (senior men’s world titles), but I’m glad we didn’t know that about making the final because I wouldn’t want to be the team to end that streak.”

Saskatoon’s Eugene Hritzuk is among the 15 Canadian skips to have won the men’s title, winning in 2009.

Canada had also won the previous two senior two women’s championships, but that streak ended in Fredericton.

Atina Ford Johnston, who is from Gray and grew up curling in Regina, skipped her Alberta-based team to a 5-0 record in round-robin play. Canada advanced to the final by beating USA’s Margie Smith 9-5 and Ireland’s Dale Sinclair 9-4 on Friday before losing the final 10-2 to Scotland’s Jackie Lockhart on Saturday.

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