THUNDER BAY -- Tbaytel Major League curlers Al Hackner, Gary Champagne and Frank Morissette are Northern Ontario Senior champions. Sunday morning in Sault Ste, Marie, Hackner's Fort William Curling Club rink scored a narrow 6-5 victory over Sudbury's Rob Gordon in the final of the provincial championships for curlers over 50 years of age.
Hackner, third Eric Harnden from Sault Ste. Marie, second Morissette and lead Champagne will now play for the Canadian Senior title March 24-29 in Stratford, Ontario.
Hackner stole one in the eight end in eight end to knock off Gordon who was bidding for a third straight Northern Ontario senior title. Gordon was forced to out draw a Hackner stone in the fourth foot after the famed Iceman made a hit and roll behind cover with guards in play out front, that according to Champagne in a call from Sault after the game.
The championship game was a see-saw battle. Hackner erased a 2-0 Gordon lead with a three in the second end. Gordon took the lead again with a steal of two in the sixth end to go up 5-4. Hackner was held to a single in the seventh end to tie the game before coming up with the steal in the eighth end.
It was a disappointing loss for Gordon who had reached the final showdown with Hackner by going undefeated in the eight-team round robin. Gordon's seven wins included a 9-3 victory over Hackner on Thursday night.
Hackner reached the final by defeating his team's Canadian Masters teammate, Bruce Munro from Sudbury in the semi-finals 7-3 Saturday night. Hackner qualified for the playoff round finishing second behind Gordon with a 5-2 record.
It is the fourth Northern Ontario Senior title for the 63-year-old Hackner who won the Canadian Seniors back in 2006. For Morissette soon to be 67, it will be his second senior national with Hackner, while for 51-year-old Champagne it will be his first senior national in his first year of eligibility.
Last year, Hackner won the Canadian Masters title for curlers over 60 playing with Harnden, Morissette and Bruce Munro from Sudbury.
