The 1973 Macdonald Brier, the Canadian men's national curling championship was held from March 5 to 11, 1973 at the Klondike Gardens in Edmonton, Alberta. The total attendance for the week was 37,575.
The event was memorable for having particularly bad ice conditions, considered by some as the "worst (Brier ice) ever manufactured". There was a great thickness of frost on the ice, which was also dotted by tiny pools of water.The Brier, Bob Weeks, pg 121
Despite not being considered favourites, Team Saskatchewan, who was skipped by Harvey Mazinke adapted best to the poor ice conditions and captured the Brier tankard as they finished round robin play with a 9–1 record. This was Saskatchewan's sixth Brier title overall and the only title that Mazinke skipped.
Mazinke's rink would go onto represent Canada in the 1973 Air Canada Silver Broom, the men's world curling championship on home soil in Regina, Saskatchewan where they won the silver medal.
This was the first Brier in which teams were allowed to concede games before all ends were complete as long as ten ends were played.The Brier, Bob Weeks, pg 122
Saskatchewan's 7–5 victory over Manitoba in Draw 5 was the fourth time in Brier history in which a game went into a second extra end. The other three instances were in and twice in .
The Draw 7 matchup between New Brunswick and Northern Ontario saw five consecutive blank ends beginning in the fourth end, setting a then Brier record for most consecutive blank ends in one game. This remains a Macdonald era record (until ) and wouldn't be broken in any Brier until .
Teams The teams were listed as follows: British ColumbiaManitobaFairview CC, Fairview Fourth: Mel Watchorn Skip: Jim Fox Second: Terry Watchorn Lead: Merv WatchornRichmond WC, Richmond Skip: Jack Tucker Third: Bernie Sparkes Second: Jim Armstrong Lead: Gerry PeckhamGranite CC, Winnipeg Skip: Danny Fink Third: Rod Hunter Second: Jim Pettapiece Lead: John HunterNew BrunswickNewfoundlandNorthern OntarioCFB Curtis Park CC, Chatham Skip: Louis Dugre Third: Joe Klein Second: Dave Romkey Lead: Doug WigginsCarol CC, Labrador City Skip: Jim Ward Third: Mike Brennan Second: Dick Narduzzi Lead: Jim NobleSudbury CC, Sudbury Skip: Don Harry Third: Morley Harry Second: Peter Wong Lead: Art MousseauNova ScotiaOntarioPrince Edward IslandDartmouth CC, Dartmouth Skip: Peter Hope Third: Jim Florian Second: Gene Mattatall Lead: Bob MargesonScarboro G&CC, Scarborough Skip: Paul Savage Third: Bob Thompson Second: Ed Werenich Lead: Ron GreenCharlottetown CC, Charlottetown Skip: Bob Dillon Third: Doug Cameron Second: John Fortier Lead: Merrill WigintonQuebecSaskatchewanCaledonia CC, Westmount Skip: Dave Moon Third: Andre Emong Second: Ken Graham Lead: Claude CoursolRegina CC, Regina Skip: Harvey Mazinke Third: Bill Martin Second: George Achtymichuk Lead: Dan Klippenstein
Map of teams
Round Robin standings KeyBrier champion ProvinceSkipWLPFPA Harvey Mazinke 9 1 88 58 Paul Savage 6 4 93 84 Peter Hope 6 4 90 72 Jack Tucker 5 5 89 92 Mel Watchorn 5 5 95 81 Louis Dugre 5 5 66 76 Bob Dillon 5 5 77 92 Jim Ward 4 6 75 107 Danny Fink 4 6 95 89 Dave Moon 3 7 90 91 Don Harry 3 7 73 89
Round Robin Results
All draw times are listed in Mountain Standard Time (UTC-07:00).
Draw 1 Monday, March 5, 2:30 pm
Draw 2 Monday, March 5, 7:30 pm
Draw 3 Tuesday, March 6, 9:00 am
Draw 4 Tuesday, March 6, 2:00 pm
Draw 5 Wednesday, March 7, 2:00 pm
Draw 6 Wednesday, March 7, 7:30 pm
Draw 7 Thursday, March 8, 2:00 pm
Draw 8 Thursday, March 8, 7:30 pm
Draw 9 Friday, March 9, 2:00 pm
Draw 10 Friday, March 9, 7:30 pm
Draw 11 Saturday, March 10, 11:00 am
Awards All-Star Team The media selected the following curlers as All-Stars.BRIER INDIVIDUAL AWARDS & ALL-STAR TEAMS
Position Name Team Skip Harvey Mazinke Third Bill Martin Second Dave Romkey Lead Ron Green
Ross G.L. Harstone Award The Ross Harstone Award was presented to the player chosen by their fellow peers as the curler who best represented Harstone's high ideals of good sportsmanship, observance of the rules, exemplary conduct and curling ability.
Name Team Position Mel Watchorn Skip
References
External links - Soudog Curling Curling Canada Youtube video CurlingZone Coverage