Jim Cotter was a ray of sunshine in the Island rain.
Cotter jumped on early mistakes by his opponent to win the Page 1-2 game at the 2018 sa国际传媒 men鈥檚 curling championship at the Parksville Curling Club on Saturday.
Cotter struck for a three in the first end and took advantage of a Sean Geall miss on a takeout in the second for a steal and a 4-0 lead in an eventual 6-2 victory in eight ends.
Cotter, of Vernon, now has a chance to win his fifth straight provincial crown, and eighth overall.
He and his crew of third Catlin Schneider, second Tyrel Griffith and lead Rick Sawatsky advance straight to today鈥檚 championship final, which starts at 4 p.m.
鈥淭hat was definitely our best game so far and that鈥檚 what we want to do, keep improving every single game,鈥� said the veteran Cotter.
Geall and his Kelowna Curling Club rink 鈥� consisting of third Jeff Richard, second Andrew Nerpin and lead David Harper 鈥� dropped down to the semifinal today at 11 a.m. against the Victoria Club鈥檚 Jason Montgomery.
Montgomery advanced after winning the Page 3-4 game 7-4 against former Victorian and former sa国际传媒 champion Dean Joanisse of the Golden Ears Winter Club.
鈥淵ou can鈥檛 dwell on it. I don鈥檛 think we played that bad at all,鈥� Geal said of having to take the back-door semifinal route against Montgomery.
鈥淛immy [Cotter] made double after double after double to get himself out of trouble,鈥� Geall said.
