Jacobs, Simmons join Koe atop men’s standings at 2015 Canada Cup

GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alta. – Brad Jacobs and Pat Simmons have crowded the top of the men’s standings after winning their draws on Thursday night at the 2015 Canada Cup of Curling.

Jacobs, of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont, downed Toronto’s John Epping 7-3 in Thursday’s evening draw while Edmonton’s Simmons beat Brad Gushue of St. John’s, N.L., 6-4.

Both skips are now tied with Calgary’s Kevin Koe for first place in round-robin play with 3-1 records. Epping and Winnipeg’s Mike McEwen are tied for fourth spot at 2-2.

“I’ve made a career of grinding out wins,” said Simmons, who beat Winnipeg’s Reid Carruthers 5-4 earlier in the day by scoring two in the 10th end. “There’s been far more of those that have come that way versus those that have come easy that’s for sure. The veteran side of us, the experience, comes through in those situations. Sometimes a few wins like that can really get things rolling.

“We know well enough that if you can stay patient and fight you might bide your time and get something good at the end.”

In women’s evening play, Winnipeg’s Jennifer Jones beat Edmonton’s Kelsey Rocque 8-5, Tracy Fleury, from Sudbury, Ont., edged Sherry Middaugh of Coldwater, Ont., 4-3 and Edmonton’s Val Sweeting hammered Winnipeg’s Kristy McDonald 8-3.

“We feel pretty comfortable out there and the team’s playing really well and setting up really good ends,” said Sweeting, the defending Canada Cup champion. “Personally I struggled with draw weight and trusting how keen (the ice) was. We haven’t played on ice that keen all year and I just wasn’t trusting it and now I am and it’s been working well.”

Ottawa’s Rachel Homan sits atop the women’s standings with a 4-0 record. Sweeting is second at 3-1 while Middaugh and Jones round out the top four with 2-2 marks.

Round robin continues Friday and the finals are scheduled for Sunday. The winners will receive berths in the Olympic trials for the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.