December 8, 2007


Middaugh and Martin to meet in final of Casino Rama curling skins game

By THE CANADIAN PRESS


ORILLIA, Ont. - Kevin Martin and Wayne Middaugh will renew their rivalry 
at the $100,000 TSN Skins curling tournament after 
winning their semifinal 
matches Saturday at Casino Rama.


Defending champion Martin and Middaugh will meet in Sunday's final (TSN, 1 
p.m. ET), facing off for the title for a third 
time. Martin defeated 
Middaugh in the 1998 final in St. John's, N.L., while Middaugh got revenge 
the following year in 
Whitehorse, Yukon.


A seven-time TSN Skins champion, Middaugh is already the all-time leader 
on the event's money list, while Martin won the 
most recent Skins event in 
2004 in Bathurst, N.B.


Edmonton's Martin won only two skins in his match against 2006 Olympic 
champion Brad Gushue of St. John's, but he made the 
shot that counted.


With $14,000 at stake in the eighth and final end, Martin drew to the 
button on his last rock to force a tie-breaking draw. 
In the shootout, 


Martin's stone hit the button while Gushue's rock came up short.


Martin took home $15,000, while Gushue pocketed $6,000.


Earlier Saturday, Toronto's Middaugh won four Skins for a total of 
$17,000, defeating reigning Brier and World champion 
Glenn Howard of 
Coldwater, Ont.


The game came down to the final rock of the eighth and final end. Howard 
tried an angle-raise double-tap to remove a 
Middaugh stone and score two.


The result was one Middaugh stone and one Howard stone in the four-foot, 
requiring a measure. The Middaugh stone was 
closer, and Middaugh picked up 
the final skin to clinch the win.


Howard won three skins for $4,000.



Martin wins Casino Rama Curling Skins Game
Casino Rama Curling Skins Game

TSN.ca Staff

12/9/2007 3:54:47 PM

Kevin Martin defended his title at the Casino Rama Curling Skins Game by defeating Wayne Middaugh in Sunday's final and 
collecting a cool $61,000 for his efforts.

Edmonton's Martin took the opening skin in the first end but didn't see another win for some time as Middaugh won the 
following four ends for a $10,000 lead through five ends.

But there was a swing in momentum in the back-half of the game.

With a $15,000 steal in the 6th end, Martin moved in front of Middaugh before capturing his fourth title at the event by 
winning the 10th end worth $28,000.

In Saturday's semi-final action, Martin won only two skins in his match against St. John's Brad Gushue, but made the shot 
that counted to take home $15,000, while Gushue pocketed $6,000.