Airdrie skip helps bring Alberta to day one Brier win

Airdrie’s own Aaron Sluchinski has skipped Team Alberta to a day one win at the 2024 Montana’s Brier in Regina. 

Suchinski’s Airdrie-based team defeated Kevin Koe’s Alberta Wildcard team by a score of 8-4 during the first day of Brier competition on March 1. 

This marks the third straight win in a row for Team Sluchinski over Koe, the Alberta curling icon. Last month, Sluchinski and company bested Koe in a playoff game and then defeated him again in the finals of the Alberta Men's Championship–securing the right for Team Sluchinski to represent Alberta at the 2024 Brier. 

During the Friday matchup, Koe had a shot in the tenth end of extending the match but missed a takeout on his final rock, which allowed Sluchinski to steal two points and pushed the margin to 8-4. 

With Saturday off, Sluchinski and his team will take on Team Nunavut during Draw 5 on Sunday and then will face Nova Scotia on Monday. The Brier will continue until March 10. The winner of the Brier will represent Canada at the World Championship in Schaffausen, Switzerland March 30 to April 7.