Hackner claims final berth at provincial playdowns

Al Hackner is headed back to the Northern Ontario provincial playdowns.

The former world champion skip edged Dylan Johnston 6-5 Sunday morning at Fort William Curling Club to earn the final spot in the Men’s West Challenge, taking the best-of-three series 2-1.

Once again Hackner needed an extra end to secure the win, scoring a single point with the hammer to claim triumph in a match that saw Johnston storm out to a 4-1 lead through five ends.

But Hackner got one back in the sixth, then stole points in seven, eight and nine to take a 5-4 lead. Johnston forced the extra end in the 10th.

Hackner, whose team consists of Kory Carr, Kris Leupen and Gary Champagne, on Saturday took Game 1 8-7 in an extra end.

Later that day Johnston, playing alongside brother Cody Johnston, Jay Turner and Travis Showalter, took Game 2 7-6.

Provincials are slated to begin Feb. 6 in Nipigon. Thunder Bay's Trevor Bonot, Bryan Burgess and Jeff Currie qualified earlier this month at the Men's West Qualifier at Port Arthur Curling Club.

The winner earns a trip to the Brier, which begins March 2 in Edmonton.