Let's get this party started. The 2011 Men's Provincial SaskTel Tankard starts today at the North Battleford Civic Centre.
The draw was released last week, and the 16 teams will all be in action Wednesday. Instead of round robin action, there will be four teams qualifying with a page playoff game for the 2011 SaskTel Tankard.
The draw has have been set for the first games and from there it will be a matter of who wins and loses, that determines which teams will face off next.
There will be two draws Wednesday with all 16 teams in action. In the 3 p.m. draw Pat Simmons will play Jamey Jordison, Brian Humble will play Darren Camm, Mark Lane plays Mark Herbert and Mike Eberle plays Carl deConinck Smith.
Following the first draw, will be the opening ceremonies.
In the 7 p.m. draw, Scott Bitz plays Derek Gaudreau, Brad Law takes on Dean Moulding, Shawn Joyce faces Brent Gedak and Terry Marteniuk plays Randy Bryden.
Thursday, there will be three draws. The first, at 8:30 a.m., will all be A-event games between 1-0 teams. The 3 p.m. draw will be B-event games between 0-1 teams. The 7 p.m. draw will feature two A-event and two B-event games.
Also on Thursday there will be a Tankard Luncheon at the Gold Ridge Centre featuring Paralympics medalist Heather Kuttai. Tickets are available for $20.
Friday, the 8 a.m. draw features two B-event and two C-event games. The noon draw features the A-event qualifier match, as one team will move to the playoffs with a 3-0 record. Also two B-event games and one C-event game will be played.
The eighth draw at 4 p.m. will feature a B-event game and two C-event games.
The fourth draw Friday at 8 p.m., will have two B-event games and two C-event games.
Saturday at 9 a.m. will be the B-event qualifier and three C-event games.
The 2 p.m. draw will feature the two C-event qualifying games.
The triple elimination format will see any team losing three times eliminated and four teams advancing to the playoffs.
The third and final draw Saturday will be the first two playoff games. The qualifiers from the A-event and B-event will play in the page playoff while the two C-event qualifiers face off.
Sunday at 9:30 a.m. will be the semi final with the final set for 2 p.m.
The Panasonic Patch will be open with nightly entertainment, so whether you have been a curling fan forever or are just getting familiar with the sport, everyone in the Battlefords is encouraged to stop by the Civic Centre and check out the action.
