Knapp knocks off Flasch in A Event final at SaskTel Tankard

Kelly Knapp is off to the playoffs at the SaskTel Tankard in Estevan.

Knapp and his Regina Highland team of Brennen Jones, Mike Armstrong and Trent Knapp beat Colton Flasch’s Saskatoon Nutana foursome 9-4 in Friday’s A Event final at the Saskatchewan men’s curling championship.

After Flasch and his team of Catlin Schneider, Kevin Marsh and Daniel Marsh scored one in the first end with last rock, Knapp put up a deuce in the second. Flasch tied the game in the third before Knapp scored three in the fourth and stole two in the fifth.

Flasch responded with one in the sixth and a steal of one in the seventh to make it 7-4, but Knapp scored one in the eighth and stole one in the ninth to seal the outcome.

The Knapp team advanced directly to the 1-2 Page playoff game Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Flasch — the defending champion and pre-tournament favourite — dropped into the B Event.

The championship tournament continues until Sunday. The final is slated for 3 p.m., with the winner earning the right to represent Saskatchewan at the Tim Hortons Brier, March 3-12 in London, Ont.