Simmons and his Winnipeg Beach, Man. rink of third Colton Lott, second Kyle Doering and lead Trent Lott dropped a 9-2 decision to Ontario’s Glenn Howard in the ‘B’ side semifinal at the tournament in Liverpool, N.S.
A win in that contest and the ‘B’ final later Sunday afternoon would have sent Simmons to the Roar of the Rings Olympic qualifier in Saskatoon late next month.
Howard got things going quickly against Simmons with a three-spot in the first end and put together a 6-1 lead through five. Simmons picked up one in the sixth, but another Howard three-spot in the seventh made things all but inevitable. After a scoreless eighth end, the two teams shook hands.
Howard now advances to face Ontario’s Tanner Horgan for the second Roar qualifying berth. Manitoba’s Jason Gunnlaugson secured the first spot with a 9-8 win over Horgan earlier Sunday.
