Sault’s Harnden, Flaxey are national curling champs

For the second year in a row, Sault Ste. Marie’s E.J. Harnden and Caleb Flaxey will be heading to the World Curling Championship in Switzerland.

The Sault products are part of Brad Gushue’s Newfoundland and Labrador-based team that won the Montana’s Brier on Sunday night to become the Canadian champions.

Harnden is the second for the Gushue rink while Flaxey is part of the team as a coach.

Team Gushue beat Mike McEwen’s Saskatchewan-based rink 9-5 in Sunday’s final to capture the Canadian title for the third consecutive year.

The Gushue rink advanced to Sunday’s final thanks to a 7-3 win over Alberta’s Brenden Bottcher in the 1 vs. 2 Page Playoff game on Saturday night. Gushue got into the 1/2 game after a 9-7 win over Reid Carruthers’ Manitoba rink, which is skipped by Sault Ste. Marie’s Brad Jacobs

Harnden’s brother Ryan, who plays lead for Matt Dunstone’s Manitoba-based rink, was also in the playoff round at the event. Team Dunstone lost in the 3 vs. 4 Page playoff game on Saturday afternoon.

Team Gushue went 6-2 in round robin play in the 18-team event.