HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – Maine Heat of Bangor-Brewer Bowling Lanes clinched the Coca-Cola Division with an 80-8 record and earned a bye for the quarterfinals in today’s Men’s World Candlepin Championship at Halifax Fairlanes.

Maine Heat will await the winner of the quarterfinal match between MacLaughlin’s Truck and Trailer and Maria’s Sub. MacLaughlin’s is the three-time defending champion of the tournament. Maine Heat won its only title in 2001.

Ramada Hotel Division winner Park Place Lanes I will play the winner of Moncton Storm vs. Salisbury Big Stop in the semifinals.

Maine team USA East finished seventh in the Ramada Hotel Division with a 44-44 record and Vacationland of Saco was 10th at 28-60. Mid-Coast Maine of Rockland finished 10th in the Coca-Cola Division with a 30-58 record.

Heat’s Chris Sargent of Manchester, N.H., posted the second-best series high of 466 in the tournament behind the 479 of Davey Somertom of MacLaughlin’s.

Playoff action begins this morning and is expected to crown a champion tonight.