Despite forcing a single point to send his Friday afternoon game into an extra end, Middaugh ended up losing 7-6 to Simmons in Draw 12 action at the Canadian Curling Association Olympic pre-trials in Prince George, B.C.
Middaugh, from Victoria Harbour, fell behind 1-0 in the first end before scoring two in the second to move ahead. The teams exchanged points in the next four ends, leading to a 5-5 tie after eight ends.
Simmons scored one point in the ninth to move ahead 6-5, forcing Middaugh and his St. George’s Golf and Curling Club rink to gamble for the tie and the win in the 10th end. Middaugh scored one, forcing an extra end, which Simmons ended up winning.
Middaugh was scheduled to play either Brad Gushue or Jean Michel Menard on Saturday, needing a win to stay alive in the Olympic qualifying event.
Having already lost two games in the triple knockout event, Sherry Middaugh’s Coldwater and District Curling Club rink was in need of a win Friday afternoon against Heather Rankin from Calgary.
mdodd@simcoe.com
