TORONTO — You probably have a better chance of successfully navigating an asteroid field than winning outright with your last shot when you’re down by two points in the eighth end. And to do it twice during back-to-back games in the semifinals and final of the Princess Auto Players’ Championship?
Never tell Kevin Koe the odds then as the Canadian skip pulled it off Saturday against compatriot Brad Gushue and then again Sunday with the men’s title on the line against Switzerland’s Yannick Schwaller at Mattamy Athletic Centre.
Koe completed a 5-4 comeback victory over Schwaller to earn his fifth Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling title as a skip and first with third Tyler Tardi, second Brad Thiessen and lead Karrick Martin. The Calgary-based crew earned $40,000 while Schwaller took home $25,000.
It was the last event with the team for Thiessen, who is stepping back from competitive curling to spend more time with his family.
Schwaller was playing in his first Grand Slam final. He joined forces with fourth Benoît Schwarz, second Sven Michel and lead Pablo Lachat this season, and they earned bronze medals at the world championship one week ago.
Earlier, Sweden’s Isabella Wranå won her first Grand Slam title after defeating Switzerland’s Silvana Tirinzoni 6-5 in the women’s final.
UP NEXT
The KIOTI Tractor Champions Cup concludes the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling season, May 2-7, at the Co-operators Centre in Regina.
Broadcast coverage begins May 4 on Sportsnet and SN NOW.
