Quebec defeats Manitoba to earn semifinal slot at men’s curling championship

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Quebec’s Jean-Michel Menard will play Alberta’s Kevin Koe to see who will challenge British Columbia for the Canadian men’s curling championship.

Menard defeated Manitoba’s Jeff Stoughton 7-6 in the 3-4 playoff Saturday in a game that saw Stoughton and third Jon Mead struggle with shotmaking at the Tim Hortons Brier.

Quebec and Manitoba traded deuces in the second and third ends but mistakes in five forced Stoughton to try a hit for a single and he rolled out for a steal.

It was the same in six when Stoughton was heavy on a draw to give up a steal of two.

Manitoba came back with two in seven to close within one but Menard’s deuce in eight gave the 2006 Brier winner the margin he needed.

Quebec has only won the Canadian title twice. Stoughton alone has won it three times and Manitoba has won the most of any province with 27 titles.