| 1973 Macdonald Brier | |
| Host City: | Edmonton, Alberta |
| Arena: | Klondike Gardens |
| Dates: | March 5–11 |
| Attendance: | 37,575 |
| Winner: | |
| Curling Club: | Regina CC, Regina |
| Skip: | Harvey Mazinke |
| Third: | Bill Martin |
| Second: | George Achtymichuk |
| Lead: | Dan Klippenstein |
The 1973 Macdonald Brier, the Canadian men's national curling championship was held from March 5 to 11, 1973 at the Klondike Gardens[1] 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.[2]
Despite not being considered favorites, 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.[3]
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.[4] This remains a Macdonald era record (until) and wouldn't be broken in any Brier until .
The teams were listed as follows:[5]
| British Columbia | Manitoba | |
|---|---|---|
| Fairview CC, FairviewFourth: Mel Watchorn Skip: Jim Fox Second: Terry Watchorn Lead: Merv Watchorn | Richmond WC, RichmondSkip: Jack Tucker Third: Bernie Sparkes Second: Jim Armstrong Lead: Gerry Peckham | Granite CC, WinnipegSkip: Danny Fink Third: Rod Hunter Second: Jim Pettapiece Lead: John Hunter |
| New Brunswick | Newfoundland | Northern Ontario |
| CFB Curtis Park CC, ChathamSkip: Louis Dugre Third: Joe Klein Second: Dave Romkey Lead: Doug Wiggins | Carol CC, Labrador CitySkip: Jim Ward Third: Mike Brennan Second: Dick Narduzzi Lead: Jim Noble | Sudbury CC, SudburySkip: Don Harry Third: Morley Harry Second: Peter Wong Lead: Art Mousseau |
| Nova Scotia | Ontario | Prince Edward Island |
| Dartmouth CC, DartmouthSkip: Peter Hope Third: Jim Florian Second: Gene Mattatall Lead: Bob Margeson | Scarboro G&CC, ScarboroughSkip: Paul Savage Third: Bob Thompson Second: Ed Werenich Lead: Ron Green | Charlottetown CC, CharlottetownSkip: Bob Dillon Third: Doug Cameron Second: John Fortier Lead: Merrill Wiginton |
| Quebec | Saskatchewan | |
| Caledonia CC, WestmountSkip: Dave Moon Third: Andre Emong Second: Ken Graham Lead: Claude Coursol | Regina CC, ReginaSkip: Harvey Mazinke Third: Bill Martin Second: George Achtymichuk Lead: Dan Klippenstein |
| Province | Skip | W | L | PF | PA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 1 | 88 | 58 | |||
| 6 | 4 | 93 | 84 | |||
| 6 | 4 | 90 | 72 | |||
| 5 | 5 | 89 | 92 | |||
| 5 | 5 | 95 | 81 | |||
| 5 | 5 | 66 | 76 | |||
| 5 | 5 | 77 | 92 | |||
| 4 | 6 | 75 | 107 | |||
| 4 | 6 | 95 | 89 | |||
| 3 | 7 | 90 | 91 | |||
| 3 | 7 | 73 | 89 |
All draw times are listed in Mountain Standard Time .[6]
Monday, March 5, 2:30 pm
Monday, March 5, 7:30 pm
Tuesday, March 6, 9:00 am
Tuesday, March 6, 2:00 pm
Wednesday, March 7, 2:00 pm
Wednesday, March 7, 7:30 pm
Thursday, March 8, 2:00 pm
Thursday, March 8, 7:30 pm
Friday, March 9, 2:00 pm
Friday, March 9, 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 10, 11:00 am
The media selected the following curlers as All-Stars.[7]
| Position | Name | Team | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skip | |||
| Third | |||
| Second | |||
| Lead |
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.[8]