Local Sports

The battle of the undefeated is still on track at Fort William Curling Club. Thunder Bay’s Joe Scharf and Sault Ste.

Daniel Salokari has to pay extra close attention to what’s going on around him on the ice. The 17-year-old, described as a quick learner by Thunder Bay North Stars coach Todd Howarth, can’t hear, or not very well.

Joe Scharf knows a thing or two about Al Hackner. A decade ago he played second for the Iceman at the 2001 Brier.

Thunder Bay skips went 4-1 in early-draw action Tuesday at the Northern Ontario Men’s provincial curling championship at Fort William Curling Club.

Trevor Letowski is the new head coach of the Sarnia Sting. The former NHLer took over the Ontario Hockey League team’s reins on Sunday after the club lost 7-3 to Plymouth.

Skill may be the true tell of a champion curler, but a little luck along the way never hurts.

Joe Scharf has something to prove. A semifinalist in last year’s Northern Ontario provincial men’s curling play-downs, the Thunder Bay skip desperately wants a shot at the Brier, something no curler in the city has done in eight years.

Joe Scharf made easy work of Geraldton’s John Salo on Monday morning. The Thunder Bay skip trailed 1-0 after the opening end, but rolled over his opponent the rest of the way en route to an 8-1 win.

Joe Scharf made his 2011 Northern Ontario provincial play-down debut a successful one.

Al Hackner’s bid to return to the Brier got off to a good start Sunday afternoon.