Team Koe will once again represent the territory at the MontanaSA国际影视传媒檚 Brier thanks to their win at the the NWT MenSA国际影视传媒檚 Curling Championship in Inuvik this past weekend.

The verdict was in after Koe swept their lone challenger, Team Saturnino out of Inuvik, in three straight draws in the best-of-five event, accomplishing the feat with one less broom on the ice as third Glen Kennedy ended up pulling out due to injury before the first draw on Jan. 26.

SA国际影视传媒淚t feels pretty good,SA国际影视传媒� said skip Jamie Koe. SA国际影视传媒淭here was only a couple teams and our third was injured, so we had to go with three and we werenSA国际影视传媒檛 quite sure how it was going to go.

SA国际影视传媒淭he guys had sweep a lot, so theySA国际影视传媒檙e pretty tired, so kudos to them for sticking it out. If thereSA国际影视传媒檚 only one sweeper instead of two, itSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot on those guys, but physically they maintained it. It was a tough ride.SA国际影视传媒�

The loss of Kennedy meant lead Shadrach McLeod and second Cole Parsons each threw three rocks each instead of the requisite two. Koe still threw two skipSA国际影视传媒檚 stones each end.

With scores of 9-7, 8-2 and 8-5 across the three draws, Koe attributed his teamSA国际影视传媒檚 victory to a simple factor.

SA国际影视传媒淲e scored points when we had to,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淟ast game was really tight, they played well and really took it to us down to the wire.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey had a chance to beat us, but I think our experience in these events put us over the edge.SA国际影视传媒�

But with the ticket to Regina all punched and ready to go, the question now is what happens if Kennedy isnSA国际影视传媒檛 ready to go by the time of the start of the Brier? Kennedy is designated as the out-of-territory player, while Koe, who now calls Edmonton home, is eligible to play with the NWT under Curling CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 birthright rule as he was born in Yellowknife.

Koe said there are alternate scenarios being worked out right now.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檒l be talking with both Curling Canada and NWT Curling about what the rules are around import players and our options,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淕lenSA国际影视传媒檚 starting to come around, so weSA国际影视传媒檒l see how that plays out, but we need to get everything sorted as quickly as possible.

With the national championship now in his sights, Koe said he and his teammates were looking forward to a week of solid competition.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a big venue, big fans,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 going to be in Regina, where my first Brier was. So itSA国际影视传媒檚 kind of back to that home.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 great to be playing in Inuvik in front of some cool fans and play where my roots are.SA国际影视传媒�

The Brier runs from March 1 to 10 in Regina.

Teaching the next generation how to rock

Team Koe didnSA国际影视传媒檛 just come to Inuvik to clean house. They also spent an evening providing tips and feedback to one of the up and coming representatives of Team NT.

Team Willkomm will be representing the territory at the Arctic Winter Games in Mat-Su, Alaska this coming March and they now have a few tips from the big boys in their arsenal.

SA国际影视传媒漈eam Koe played a two-end game against the boys, but really slowed things down,SA国际影视传媒� said coach Mark Robertson. SA国际影视传媒淭hey showed the boys good habits each position should work on developing such as positioning of the skip/third in the house to improve line calling, the first and second cleaning shot paths prior to a shot and watching the opponents shots as intently as they watch their own.

SA国际影视传媒淭eam Koe also left the boys with 12 of their Team Koe broomhead covers. It was a super positive experience for Team Willkomm to lead them into their three big events over the next six weeks.SA国际影视传媒�

Team Willkomm will be playing at the Leduc U15 Junior Bonspiel Feb. 2 to 4 and Rock the Rings from Feb. 16 to 18 in Yellowknife. The Arctic Winter Games run from March 10 to 16.

-with files from James McCarthy