Koivula storms back from 6-0 deficit to defeat Gordon, Johnston knocks off Jacobs at Northern Ontario curling championship

NORTH BAY -- Through four ends, Colin Koivula had dug a deep hole against Robbie Gordon’s Sudbury rink in Draw 3 at the Traveler’s Men’s Provincial Championship in North Bay.

But in true never-say-die form, the Thunder Bay skip fashioned a remarkable comeback on Thursday afternoon, erasing a 6-0 deficit to defeat Gordon 7-6 and improve to 2-1.

After getting on the board with a single in the fifth, Koivula stole points in the sixth, seventh and eighth, then grabbed two in the ninth to tie the match 6-6. He stole another in the 10th to claim victory for his team.

Koivula wasn’t the only Thunder Bay curler to find success on Day 2 of the event.

Dylan Johnston, seeking his first win of the week, stunned five-time champion and reigning Olympic gold medalist Brad Jacobs 8-5 to up his record to 1-2.

Johnston stole a pair in the 10th to secure the win, after scoring another deuce in the ninth to take a 6-5 lead.

Jacobs fell to 2-1 and is in a three-way tie for second with Koivula and Geraldton’s Mike Assad, who fell from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 7-6 loss to Tanner Horgan (1-2).

Jordan Chandler leads the pack at 3-0. His team defeated Patrick Gelinas (1-2) by a 6-2 count.