Kelly Knapp led squad to 2023 Sask title
It was a simple in-turn takeout, with board weight, but it was for a coveted trip to the Canadian championship.
And the former lead nailed it.
Skip Kelly Knapp, with Brennan Jones, Mike Armstrong, Trent Knapp and Dustin Kidby of Regina defeated veteran opponent Steve Laycock of Swift Current 5-4 to win the Saskatchewan Tankard at Estevan.
Knapp, 33, is a longtime front-end player now in his second year as a skip. He recently won the Saskatchewan Curling Tour’s Players’ Championship, which was his squad’s fourth tour victory of the season.
Jones and Armstrong will appear at their second Brier in London, Ont. next month.
“I’ve dreamed of this day for a long time,” said Knapp. “I think this is my 11th Tankard now, and to make playoffs like this and with the guys playing so well, I’m just so fortunate to be a part of this group… it’s been amazing.”
Laycock was looking to compete in his 11th Brier and eighth representing Saskatchewan. He played third for British Columbia’s Jim Cotter in three Briers between 2019 and 2021.
Laycock was aided by teammates Shaun Meachem, Chris Haichert and Brayden Stewart.
Knapp had defeated Laycock 9-4 in the Page playoff 1 versus 2 game to advance directly to the final.
Laycock awaited the winner of Kody Harris and Jason Jacobson, and it was the latter who prevailed 8-3 to advance to the semifinal.
The semifinal offered a wild scoreline, as Jacobsen led 8-7 heading into the final end without last rock.
Laycock faced a stone partially hidden behind a guard on his last stone, with multiple stones of his around to score enough for the win. The veteran just did squeeze by the top guard, to score a big four and won the match 11-8.
