Dunstone Finding Their Grand Slam Groove
Winnipeg's Matt Dunstone advanced to the A-Qualifiers with 6-2 win over Italy's Joel Retornaz.
Dunstone, with B.J. Neufeld, Colton Lott and Ryan Harnden won the pre-game draw to the button for hammer, using that advantage to blow open the game with three points in the first end.
Dunstone added a steal in the second end, the force Retornaz to a single in the third end.
Dunstone added two more points in the fifth for a 6-1 lead, then forced Retornaz to another single. Retornaz conceded shortly after, a 6-2 win for Dunstone.
WATCH Game 2: Dunstone vs. Retornaz
Neufeld was high-man on the score sheet in the game, shooting a blistering 98%, putting his counterpart Amos Mosaner in trouble all game, resulting in a 57% tally for the Italian.
Retornaz, also under constant pressure all game, shot 53% to Dunstone's 90% on the game.
Italy's front end played a strong game, with Mattia Giovanella shooting 80% and Sebastiano Arman shooting 90%. Harnden shot 83% while Lott matched his counterpart with a 90% game.
The win is Dunstone's second of the week, taking a 6-5 decision from Saskatoon's Mike McEwen on Tuesday evening in their opening game.
WATCH Game 1: Dunstone vs. McEwen
In this "win three before losing three" triple knockout draw, Dunstone will play Thursday for a playoff berth in the A-Qualifiers against Brad Jacobs' Calgary-based foursome.
Dunstone is coming off a shocking loss in the opening round of the PointsBet Invitational, where they lost to newly-minted provincial rival Jordon McDonald in the opening round.
In Dunstone's season opening event, they reached the quarterfinals after starting 0-2.
WATCH Game 2: Dunstone vs. Retornaz
Neufeld was high-man on the score sheet in the game, shooting a blistering 98%, putting his counterpart Amos Mosaner in trouble all game, resulting in a 57% tally for the Italian.
Retornaz, also under constant pressure all game, shot 53% to Dunstone's 90% on the game.
Italy's front end played a strong game, with Mattia Giovanella shooting 80% and Sebastiano Arman shooting 90%. Harnden shot 83% while Lott matched his counterpart with a 90% game.
The win is Dunstone's second of the week, taking a 6-5 decision from Saskatoon's Mike McEwen on Tuesday evening in their opening game.
WATCH Game 1: Dunstone vs. McEwen
In this "win three before losing three" triple knockout draw, Dunstone will play Thursday for a playoff berth in the A-Qualifiers against Brad Jacobs' Calgary-based foursome.
Dunstone is coming off a shocking loss in the opening round of the PointsBet Invitational, where they lost to newly-minted provincial rival Jordon McDonald in the opening round.
In Dunstone's season opening event, they reached the quarterfinals after starting 0-2.