The Nova Scotia men's curling championship is coming to Bridgewater.

 The Molson Tankard, as it is known, is scheduled for the Bridgewater Curling Club from February 8 to 12. The winner of the Tankard goes on to represent Nova Scotia in the Canadian championships, perhaps better known as the Tim Hortons Brier.

 This year's edition of the Tankard comes with some significant changes from the usual format, most notably the number of teams competing for the title. There will be eight teams competing for provincial dominance this season instead of the usual 16.

 "There was a committee formed last year by the board of directors to look at this," said Nova Scotia Curling spokesman Jeremiah Anderson. "They spent a lot of time speaking with the competitors. It was actually a request from the players."

 That means it's literally going to be twice as hard to play for the provincial title this year and in coming years.

 It also lends a little more prestige to the event.

 "That's exactly what Mark Dacey said when he was asked," Mr. Anderson said.

 Qualifying for the event began this past weekend in Yarmouth. Five teams move on from that event. A second-chance qualifier from January 20 to 22 in Dartmouth will produce the final three.

 Chester Curling Club skip Chad Stevens and his squad, the only local squad competing, finished 1-3 in the Yarmouth qualifier. Should they compete in the Dartmouth event they would need to finish top three to advance.

 Unlike other similar events the host team isn't guaranteed a spot in the championship.

 In the Tankard the men will play a round-robin format leading to a Page playoff.

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 This year's Tim Hortons Brier is March 3 to 11 in Saskatoon.

posted on 01/18/12