And just like that it was over.

Julien Leduc along with third Brett Moxham, second Ben Woelk and lead Hugh McFarlane dropped a 7-2 decision to Brandon’s Terry McNamee Friday afternoon and said good-bye to the 2018 Viterra Provincial Men’s Curling Championship at the Winkler Centennial Arena.

“We just didn’t make shots when we needed to,” said Woelk shortly after his team was eliminated. “We were given a couple of chances and couldn’t quite capitalize. We played well for the most part and we’re happy how the week went.”

McNamee, who played in his first Tankard in 1987, got a deuce in the first end and took control of the game with three in the seventh.

It was handshakes all around after McNamee stole one in the eighth end.

“Terry’s been here a long time and this is the first time for three of us,” said Woelk. “In a way we had nothing to lose and a lot to learn and there’s obviously a lot to learn from a guy like him.”

As for his first trip to the Viterra Championship.

“It’s awesome and being in my hometown, it’s awesome,” answered Woelk. “There’s been lots of support from everybody. I’ve had a bunch of family and friends out and the other guys have to. It’s been lots of fun.”

And when you are the hometown favourite, it’s pretty cool to hear the ‘Atta boy Ben,’ come from the stands.

“It’s great. It’s not something I’ve really heard before because I’ve never played in this kind of atmosphere. Usually the fans are behind some glass so it’s nice to hear.”

Leduc, Moxham, Woelk and McFarlane, who not so long ago wrapped up their junior curling careers, qualified for the Viterra Championship by claiming one of the two spots available at the Fall Berth Bonspiel in Beausejour.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Woelk. “We got our spot back in November so it’s been a long two-and-a-half months but we kept busy enough that it’s gone by relatively fast and we were happy with the work we put in to get here.”

And once they got to the Viterra Championship.

The Granite foursome won game one in dramatic fashion back of Wednesday morning.

Leduc was good on a last rock double for three and beat Sean Grassie 5-4.

What followed was a 7-3 loss to David Bohn; a 9-7 victory over Rob Fisher and the as mentioned 7-2 loss to Terry McNamee.

“It sucks that everybody has to go home on a loss expect for one team right,” said Woelk. “We’re happy with how the week went. Our goal coming in was to win one game at least so we exceeded that. We had a great time.”

Practice and the Banquet was held on Tuesday followed by game one and the Opening Ceremony on Wednesday.

Ben Woelk had an ice level view of the hard work that the Host Committee has done in making this a Viterra Championship that curlers and curling fans will remember for a long time.

“I’m very proud. I know a lot of them. My mom Viola is on the committee. They’ve done a fantastic job. You can see how much pride went in to their work and it’s awesome to see. They did a fantastic job.”