After the last rock has been thrown, the winning skip says the ice was absolutely perfect.

The losing skip....maybe not so perfect.

That's a story ice-makers have heard forever and a day.

Greg Ewasko is the head ice technician for the 2018 Viterra Provincial Men’s Curling Championship in Winkler.

Last month he also looked after the ice at the Provincial Scotties Tournament of Hearts at the Shamrock Centre in Killarney as well as the fourth Grand Slam bonspiel of the season, the Canadian Open in Camrose, Alberta.

The 2006 Scotties in Morris was Ewasko’s first Provincial Championship where he was in charge of the ice-crew and it was his job to transform a hockey rink into a curling facility.

“It was pretty nerve-wracking because you're still working with Hans (Wuthrich) who is a world renowned ice-maker so you have to watch what you’re doing. I learned lots from him and it was definitely an eye-opener with everything you have to pay attention to.”

And now 12 years later.

“You know what to expect,” Ewasko said. “After so many years, you know when you walk in, you got to make sure you check the ice level and we do that. You make sure the plants running properly. We set the temperatures for painting and get everything ready. Everything just flows a lot better. This year has probably been my busiest year, hopping from one city to another city, and it’s the same kind of routine. Just making sure everything is perfect.”

Perfect.

When Jennifer Jones or Mike McEwen play an angle raise hit for three or a come-around draw to the button for the win – they know exactly what their rock is going to do because of the work that Ewasko and his crew have done.

That allows Jones and McEwen and Kerri Einarson and Reid Carruthers to pull off great shots that curling fans have come accustomed to seeing on a regular bases.

“I’m very proud,” said Ewasko. “Especially when they’re taking ice in the middle of the 12-foot and they can hook one right around and make a fantastic shot so I know I’ve done my job,”

Ice conditions though can change in a matter of minutes because of weather or an issue with the plant.

“We obviously pay attention to everything that’s going on,” Ewasko said. “When there is a problem that arises, we’re on top of it right away. We’re out there, we’re feeling the ice with our feet and walking around feeling the air temperature. If it doesn’t feel right, then we make adjustments.”

As for the ice at the Winkler Centennial Arena?

“We’re almost bang on,” answered Ewasko who was the head ice technician when Winkler hosted the Provincial Scotties in 2015. “We had a little fun game Sunday night and a men’s game on Monday and that’s when we made it dance a little more.”

Those Sunday and Monday games are important and Ewasko says club curlers are thrilled to throw rocks on the same sheet of ice as teams who compete in the Scotties or Viterra.

“The usual reaction is, ‘Wow does that curl.’ For the fun games if we don’t see the ice curling eight-to-nine feet then we’ve done something a little wrong so we have to re-adjust for the superstars that show up.”

Back in the day, when the MCA Bonpiel attracted 700-plus teams, a good “B” Group rink might have been able to give Jeff Stoughton or Kerry Burtnyk a run for their money because of ice conditions especially on outside sheets at most curling clubs in Winnipeg.

Back then you had to know how to read ice.

At this weeks Viterra Championship in Winkler you won’t find rocks backing up a foot-and-a-half when playing an out-turn draw with the broom on the edge of the four-foot.

And you won’t find rocks hugging the centre line forever when playing a quiet tap-back around a corner guard.

What curlers have found this week and what Greg Ewasko strives for is ice that allows teams to do what they do best - make great shots.

“They expect it and I expect it to be that good all the time.”


Kelly Marnoch watching the line

 
2018 Viterra Provincial Men's Curling Championship
@ Winkler
Thursday, February 1st
Draw #5   8:30 a.m.
“A” Side
Daniel Birchard, Pembina 8 Jason Gunnlaugson, Granite 5
Pat Simmons, Granite 6 Randy Neufeld, La Salle 3
William Lyburn, Assiniboine Memorial 10 Tyler Drews, Fort Rouge 4
“B” Side
Andrew Wickman, Fort Rouge 7 Brandon Radford, Swan River 4
Steve Irwin, Brandon 9 Brett Walter, Elmwood 4

Draw #6   12:15 p.m.
“A” Side
Mike McEwen, Fort Rouge 11 Richard Muntain, Pinawa 6
Reid Carruthers, West St. Paul 11 Terry McNamee, Brandon 1
David Bohn, Assiniboine Memorial 7 Julien Leduc, Granite 3
Travis Bale, Fort Rouge 9 Darryl Friesen, St. Vital 3
Dennis Bohn, Assiniboine Memorial 9 Kyle Foster, Arborg 7

Draw #7   4 p.m.
“B” Side
Tanner Lott, Winnipeg Beach 7 Merv Satterthwaite, St. Vital 1
JT Ryan, Assiniboine Memorial 11 Ryan Thomson, Morden 5
Graham Freeman, Virden 8 Gunnlaugson 6
Drews 9 Wickman 6
Irwin 4 Neufeld 3

Draw #8   7:45 p.m.
“B” Side
Leduc 9 Rob Fisher, Dauphin 7
McNamee 9 Cale Dunbar, Riverview 2
Friesen 10 Marnoch 6
Foster 7 Lott 1
Ryan 8 Muntain 6