CALGARY - Curling took a page from hockey's playbook at the Tim Hortons Brier.
It wasn't a slash or a trip, but rather a curling version of a friendly lovetap -- and naturally with a broom instead of a hockey stick.
The Brad Jacobs team said tapping the foot of an opponent was a reminder for the player to get his knees off the ice after releasing the stone at the Canadian men's curling championships. The incident occurred in Northern Ontario's 7-3 win over Ontario's Mark Kean on Monday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
In a statement released early Tuesday on the team's Facebook page, the Jacobs rink said that "it was not done with any aggressive or intimidating intent" but to remind the player not to leave marks on the ice that can affect the movement of stones.
Ontario coach Bryan Cochrane was seen complaining to officials after a Northern Ontario sweeper rapped the foot of Ontario third Matt Camm after he delivered his rock. Curling Canada said the chief umpire had spoken with both teams and told them that issues should be addressed immediately with game umpires.
Jacobs, the reigning Olympic champion, topped the round-robin standings at 5-0 heading into Tuesday's draws.
