Tankard Times March 12th

Issue 7 – Friday, March 12, 2010 • An Official Publication of the Canadian Curling Association.

Fab Fab

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Northern Ontario joins pre-tourney favourites in playoff round

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Tankard Times

Final four are locked and loaded Larry Wood Tankard Times Editor

F

or the first time since the last time Glenn Howard of Ontario won the Tim Hortons Brier in 2007, the playoff field emerged cut and dried from the roundrobin preliminary.

When Brad Gushue’s boys from The Rock made short work of fading Quebec rookie Serge Reid 8-2 during Thursday night’s final draw at the Metro Centre, the Fab Four were in concrete and playoff positions locked up.

Heading into the Page-system showdown, undefeated Howard will tangle with unsung Brad Jacobs of Sault Ste. Marie today at 7:30 p.m., with

the winner advancing to the championship final on

Playoff Schedule Today 7:30 p.m. — Page 1-2 Playoff: Ontario (Glenn Howard) vs.

Northern Ontario (Brad Jacobs)

Saturday Noon — Page 3-4 Playoff: Alberta (Kevin Koe) vs. Nfld/ Labrador (Brad Gushue) 7:30 p.m. —Championship semifinal: Page 1-2 loser vs.

Page 3-4 winner

Sunday 8 p.m. — Championship final: Page One-Two winner vs. semifinal winner

Sunday at 8 p.m. and the loser dropping into Saturday’s semifinal at 7:30.

Then on Saturday at 12 noon, Gushue will collide with Kevin Koe of Edmonton in a sudden-death playoff of 8-and-3 teams, with the winner moving to the eventide semi.

When Coldwater’s Howard capped an 11-win string with a tight 7-6 decision over Koe on the closing shift, it dropped the Edmonton team to third place and left the surging but idle Northern Ontario crew (9-and-2) with the extra playoff life alongside Howard and his unit of Richard Hart, Brent Laing and Craig Savill.

“Now we can say No. 1,” said Howard earlier following a 9-3 win over the Territories that was decided with four in the

Above left, Brad Gushue’s rink from St. John’s (8-3) needed a last-draw win to ensure a playoff berth. Above, Craig Savill, left, and Richard Hart sweep their way to Ontario’s 11th straight victory at the Metro Centre. eighth end. “That feels good. Mission accomplished.”

Playoff Seedings 1. Ontario (11-0) 2. Northern Ontario (9-2) 3. Alberta (8-3) 4. Newfoundland/ Labrador (8-3)

Howard was required to wield the hammer in the final end. Koe attempted a tight tap-and-roll behind partial cover in the fourfoot with his last rock but the stone hit thin and rolled out of contention.

“We made it tough on ourselves,” said Koe. “I may have thrown the last one a bit soft and it overcurled. A nose hit was useless and I was going to

make sure I got some kind of roll.

“It’s too bad. I would have liked to leave him having to make something to win. He’d probably make it, he made just about everything out there, but it would have been a better way to lose.”

Please see FOUR, Page 15

Friday, March 12, 2010

Page 3

Net yield diff. (bu/ac)*

BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME: Two outfits came oh-so-close to playoffs at this year’s Tim Hortons Brier.

Manitoba (7-4), at left, was ousted Thursday night, while Quebec (5-6), far left, was eliminated in the afternoon.

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Tankard Times

TSN’s famed ‘Moosey’ Rock Solid COVERAGE calling it a career It’s ‘time for a new voice,’ says Turnbull

For complete coverage of the 2010 Tim Hortons Brier, read sports reporter Monty Mosher’s stories daily.

LARRY WOOD Tankard Times Editor Proud sponsor of the 2010 Tim Hortons Brier

S

eventy-year-old Ray Turnbull is counting the days.

Three more at the Tim Hortons Brier at the Metro Centre. Another nine at the Ford World Women’s at Swift Current later this month.

Thereafter, the Winnipeg insurance broker who emerged as the first colour commentator on TSN curling shows in 1985 will call it a career.

“I was asked to do a gamea-day in 1983 at the Worlds in Regina,” he recalls when asked how it all started. “It was on the public cable channel. I was working with John Badham.

“The next year, Gordon Craig started TSN. They liked what I’d done in Regina so I sent in a tape, had an audition and they hired me. Actually, I’d been working outside the Canadian Curling Association’ scope with my teaching, mainly curlers overseas, and I was told the CCA wasn’t happy with it but Craig told the CCA it wasn’t an issue with him. So that was an interesting start to it.”

Turnbull’s first TSN event

was the 1985 Mixed Nationals at Toronto Bayview, won

by Steve Skillings of Victoria.

“That year, I think I worked with five different hosts,” Turnbull recollects.

“Don Chevrier was with me at the Mixed. And, of course, Chevy pulled the old personal gag on me they always reserve for rookies. I’m sitting there and the light goes on the camera and Chevy says: ‘Well, Ray, this looks like it will be the key game of the day, but, you know what? I don’t understand half of these (bleeping) shots.’ And I froze, because he’d sworn like that.

Then everybody burst out laughing. Of course, they were putting me on.

“That year I also worked with Doug Maxwell and Badham, again, and I don’t recall the other guys. We did about five events.”

Now, some 25 years and roughly 3,000 curling shows later, Turnbull’s on-air quips are numbered.

“I’m tired of all the travelling,” he explains. “I love doing it but I’ve had it. I have grandchildren in New Zealand and grandchildren in Germany and I have friends in the south and I have money. So I want to go and spend it before I pass away.”

Turnbull is recalling his first encounter with TSN host Vic Rauter, who’s now a close friend.

“I think it was 1986,” says

Turnbull. “I didn’t know who he was. He said, ‘Well, you and I have bet before.’ And I said, ‘No, no, I’ve never seen you before.’ He said, ‘Oh yeah you have.’ I was the head umpire at the Worlds (Silver Broom) in London, Ont., 1981, and this camera guy was running around out

“I’m very close to the game. I’ve never left it . . . but I’m still 70 years old” Retiring TSN curling broadcaster Ray Turnbull

there on the ice during the national anthem. So, I trotted down there and told him to get off the ice before I threw him off. He said that was the first time we met. The guy on the ice was Rauter.”

Linda Moore, the 1985 Canadian champion and 1988

demo gold medallist at the Calgary Olympics, joined the crew shortly thereafter.

“I’ll never forget the first year Linda joined us,” says Turnbull. “I think it was 1989.

We were doing a broadcast and Vic got off on a tangent about the old days when guys brought their own rocks to the rink. And transported them from rink to rink to rink.

And Linda turned to me and says, ‘Oh, you’ll remember that, Ray.’ And I replied, ‘I hope your thighs grow.’ She laughed, everybody laughed.

“And I’m lying in bed at three in the morning that night and the phone rings.

It’s the late Jim Thompson, who at that time was TSN vice-president and soon to be president of the network. He says, ‘You know, Moosey, I was watching the telecast today and that’s one of the funniest lines I’ve ever heard, I fell right off the couch laughing . . . and if you ever do it again you’re fired.’ I guess the switchboard in Toronto lit up like a Christmas tree, complaining about the remark they claimed was sexist.”

Not to mention, politically incorrect.

“It’s been a great gig for me but it’s time,” he says.

“Time for a new voice. I’ve aged a little bit, even though I’m very close to the game, I’ve never left it and I think I know it as well as anybody.

But I’m still 70 years old.”

Please see WOOD, Page 13

Friday, March 12, 2010

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GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Ontario: Skip: Glenn Howard Home: Penetanguishene, Ont. Began curling at age: 10 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Manager Employer: The Beer Store Date of birth: July 17, 1962 Place of birth: Midland, Ont. Marital status: Married Spouse/partner: Judy Howard Children: Scott (19), Carly (16) Favourite food: All Pasta Favourite drink: White Russian Celebrity dream woman: Charlize Theron Most annoying celebrity: Sacha Baron Cohen All-time favourite movie: Field of Dreams Last movie he loved: Law Abiding Citizen Last movie he hated: District 9 Tattooed? Nil Never leaves home without: His Capital One card Ten ends or eight? Eight ends Tiebreakers or no tiebreakers? Tiebreakers Extra ends or no extra ends?

Extra ends Competed in: 1986, 87, 89, 91, 92, 93, 94, 06, 07, 08, 09 Briers, 87, 93, 07 Worlds, 91, 97, 01, 05, 09 O-trials.

Third: Richard Hart Home: Pickering, Ont. Began curling at age: 13 Delivery: Left Occupation/title: Project manager Employer: Hart-Well Electrical Date of birth: Oct. 14, 1968 Place of birth: Toronto Marital status: Married Spouse/partner: Margaret Hart Children: Joseph (12), David (10), Lauren (7) Favourite food: Cheeseburger Favourite drink: Milkshake Celebrity dream woman: Scar-

White Russians, cheesburgers, milkshakes, Charlize crushes and Roseanne revulsion

lett Johansson Most annoying celebrity: Dr Phil All-time favourite movie: Hoosiers Last movie he loved: The Hangover Last movie he hated: Couples Retreat Tattooed? None Never leaves home without: Phone Ten ends or eight? ? Eight ends Tiebreakers or no tiebreakers? Tiebreakers Extra ends or no extra ends?

Extra ends Competed in: 1998 8 Olympics, 06, 07, 08, 09 Briers, s, 07 Worlds, 97, 05, 09 O-Trials

Second: Brent Laing g Home: Horseshoe Valley, Ont. Began curling at age: Nine Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Operations manager Employer: Weed Man, Collingwood-Barrie Date of birth: Dec. 10, 1978 Place of birth: Meaford, aford, Ont. Marital status: Common-law mmon-law Spouse/partner: Leah eah Children: Wil (3) Favourite food: Pizza zza Favourite drink: Rye ye and Coke Celebrity dream woman: oman: None All-time favourite movie: Good Will Hunting Last movie he loved: ed: The Hangover Last movie he hated: ed: None Tattooed? No Never leaves home e without: iPod Ten ends or eight? ? Eight ends — leads to better tter ice conditions and a shorter broadcast Tiebreakers or no tiebreakers? You must have tiebreakers Extra ends or no extra ends?

You must have extra ends Competed in: 2002, 06, 07, 08, 09 Brier, 07 Worlds, 98, 99

Junior Nationals, 98, 99 World Junior, 05, 09 O-trials

Lead: Craig Savill Home: Ottawa Began curling at age: 10 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Owner, real estate appraisal Employer: Savill Appraisal Services Date of birth: Oct. 25, 1978 Place of birth: Lahr, Germany

Most annoying celebrity: Rosanne Barr All-time favourite movie: Superbad Last movie he loved: Bridget Jones’s Diary (Brent and I cried like little girls) Last movie he hated: Men Who Stare at Goats Tattooed? None Never leaves home without: The Team Credit Card Ten ends or eight? Eight. With 10 ends, he says, it’s very difficult to keep the ice from going flat. With an eight-end game, the ice will hold up and a TV game can be played within 2.5 hours. All World Curling Tour events are eight ends and the players seem to love it

Tiebreakers or no tiebreakers?

Tiebreakers!

Glenn It would be Howard a shame if a team was knocked out of a Canadian status: Married Marital status or world championship because Spouse/partner: Karen Cumof its shootout, he says. This is berland a team sport. There shouldn’t Children: None be such a reliance on the draw Favourite food: Chicken to the button Favourite drink: Rum and Coke Extra ends or no extra ends?

Celebrity dream woman: Extra ends! It’s the most exciting Megan Fox

part of curling, he says. There is no reason to take extra ends or tiebreakers out of the Canadian or world championships.

It would be a travesty if either were taken out of curling Competed in: 2002, 06, 07, 08, 09 Briers, 07 Worlds, 97, 98, 99 Junior Nationals, 98, 99 World Junior, 01, 05, 09 O-trials.

Fifth: Steve Bice Home: Milton, Ont. Began curling at age: 12 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Chemical, safety, environmental technician Employer: Ontario Power Generation Date of birth: Oct. 5, 1981 Place of birth: Sarnia Marital status: Single Spouse/partner: Leah Crane Children: None Favourite food: Pizza with green olives Favourite drink: Rum and Coke Celebrity dream woman: Elisha Cuthbert Most annoying celebrity: Ben Mulroney All-time favourite movie: Dumb and Dumber Never leaves home without: His teeth Ten ends or eight? Eight ends Tiebreakers or no tiebreakers? Tiebreakers Extra ends or no extra ends? Extra ends Competed in: 07, 08, 09 Brier, 07 Worlds

Coach: Scott Taylor Home: Barrie, Ont. Occupation/title: Partner/Manager Employer: BalancePlus Curling Equipment Date of birth: April 4, 1954 Place of birth: Barrie, Ont. Coached: 1995 Canada Winter Games, 99 World Junior, 01, 05, 09 Olympic Trials, 02, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10 Brier, 07 Worlds

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Tankard Times

Grumpy Young Men have ‘thick skin’

Sun Media Columnist

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hey always seem to be yipping and yapping and snapping at each other.

Biting and barking.

And they look so sullen and surly.

It’s been 11 years since the people wear-

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negative interactions with each other on the rollercoaster ride they’ve had to get to the final draw of the round robin on Thursday night.

“Anybody who knows us off the ice knows we’re not exactly happy-golucky guys,” said Koe. “It’s our demeanor. It’s the way we are. Whether we’re seen as being grumpy and not happy on the ice is not a problem with us. We’re big boys.

“A lot of the teams and the people watching don’t know us. We’ve had some games where we’ve been struggling and those times get to you a little bit. “”But that’s the way our team is at a bonspiel in

Lloydminster or wherever.

It’s the way it works when we’re together. It’s certainly not a case that we don’t like each other or don’t get along,” he said while keeping one eye on third Blake MacDonald and second Carter Rycroft playing with their kids outside the Metro Centre dressing rooms.

Lead Nolan Thiessen said it’s nothing new just because they’re finally at the Brier.

“It’s the way we always have been. There’s no hard feelings,” he said.

“You can say anything any time on this team,” added Rycroft. “Our guys all have thick skin.”

Rycroft, of course,

“More than likely Blake,” Koe admitted of the third who used to throw last rocks for the team, and three years ago missed draws to the eight-foot in both the 10th and 11th ends that would have sent the Koe team to the Brier at Martin’s expense.

MacDonald says he won’t make a decision until after the Brier.

In the meantime, the viewers are hearing the yapping and snapping which Koe’s crew insists is their way of whistling while they work.

played for Kevin Martin in two Briers and won an Olympic silver medal with the guy they call The Old Bear in 2002.

“We’re here to win, not to finish second,” he said.

With Martin back next year, it may be the only chance this team has.

And then there’s the rumour that the team will be breaking up after the season.

“I’d be very surprised if this team stays together but it’s not because we don’t like each other,” said Koe. The rumours have MacDonald, who played for Alberta in that last Brier that didn’t involving Ferbey or Martin, calling it quits.

Please see JONES, Page 15

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ing Alberta outfits at the Brier have been somebody other than teams skipped by Kevin Martin and Randy Ferbey. And apparently the television audience is having trouble adapting to Kevin Koe’s Grumpy Young Men. “People just don’t understand the dynamics of our team,” said Koe of his Edmonton Saville Centre squad which had a not-quite-as-grouchy-asusual three-game winning streak going at mid-day Thursday.

Koe admits it’s been getting back to them that TV viewers are finding them less likeable compared to Ferbey and Martin because of their

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Page 7

Jacobs’ young Soo upstarts making history Larry Wood Tankard Times Editor

B

rad Jacobs and the boys had them scurrying for the record books on Thursday.

When was the last time a Northern Ontario team reached the playoff stage at the Tim Hortons Brier?

How about the last time a team from Sault Ste. Marie won more Brier games than it lost?

And so on . . .

As they head into the playoff matches this weekend at the Metro Centre, it’s probably fair to say that the Jacobs team from the Soo, youngest in the Halifax Brier, is the best Northern Ontario unit to surface on Brier freeze since Al Hackner won his last Brier.

That was in 1985, the year of the shot heard ’round the world, when Hackner made the big double-kill in the last end and stole the Tankard from Pat Ryan of Alberta in overtime over there in beautiful downtown Moncton.

Certainly, Jacobs, his cousins the Harndens (E.J. and Ryan) and Caleb Flaxey, constitute the best-ever Brier team to emerge from the Soo.

Brad Jacobs: “Nice coming in as an underdog.”

Thunder Bay’s Rick Lang last guided a team from Moose country to the playoffs. In 1993, Lang finished 8-and-3 along with the likes of Russ Howard, Rick Folk and Vic Peters. Brad Jacobs was seven years old at the time, and hadn’t even seen a curling rock.

He started fingering the handles three years later.

The boys’ uncle, Al Harnden, owns the best Brier record for a skip from the Soo. He finished third on home ice in the 1990 Brier with an 8-4 record. In fact, Harnden owns the only two winning Brier records in the history of Soo curlers. He was 6-and-5 in an earlier bid for the Tankard back in 1986.

The blond-thatched Jacobs wound up his

preliminary campaign Thursday afternoon with a scintillating 9-and-2 record, having lost only to Ontario’s Glenn Howard and Alberta’s Kevin Koe in the early going. Heading into the home stretch, the Northern Ontario team is riding a steaming hot eight-game winning streak.

Ironically, this team is right on track to match the exploits of Hackner. The Iceman lost four games in his Brier triumph at Moncton, and three in his previous win at Brandon in 1982.

“It felt nice coming in as an underdog,” said the youngest skip in the building on Thursday, moments after taking care of Brad Gushue of St. John’s who used to be the Brier’s youngest skip, year-in and year-out.

“There was no pressure,” said Jacobs. “I was more nervous coming into this Brier. The first time (2007) I wasn’t the skip. I was just throwing last rocks. There’s a lot more pressure skipping and I felt that the first couple of games.”

And the nervousness had nothing to do with unfamiliarity with arena ice.

Please see SOO, Page 13

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Page 8

Tankard Times

Here’s a Unique Opportunity to own a part of the 2010 Tim Hortons Brier!

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These Limited Edition vehicles go on sale March 16th at a very special price and include 2 Steele Ford Lincoln Brier Jackets and Souvenirr Pins!

Hurry in to Steele Ford and secure your own part of the 2010 Tim Hortons Brier while they last!

THIS DATE IN BRIER HISTORY

MacDuff’s unsung quartet rocks Regina

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ALEX ROBERTS Tankard Times Columnist

1976: Jack MacDuff pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Brier history, skipping Newfoundland to its first and only Canadian men’s championship at Regina. Along with the Halifax-born MacDuff, the Newfies included Toby McDonald at vice, Doug Hudson at second and lead Ken Templeton.

1977: A last-round 7-4

victory over Nova Scotia on home ice in Montreal secured Quebec’s first Brier championship.

Skipped by Jim Ursel, La Belle Province finished with a 9-2 round-robin record, one game ahead of British Columbia (Roy Vinthers) and Ontario (Paul Savage).

1982: The second Brier to be hosted in Brandon concluded with an attendance record as the Keystone Centre turnstiles clicked to the tune of 106,394 fans – the first 100,000 plus attendance figure in Brier history.

1989: Pat Ryan won the lowest-scoring Brier final ever with a 3-2 victory over Rick Folk’s B.C. foursome. Among other things, the defensive hit-fest spurred the subsequent adoption of

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the Free Guard Zone rule.

The low scoring aside, the Saskatoon championship was the first Brier to top the 150,000 mark in paid attendance.

1995: Manitoba’s Kerry Burtnyk won his second Canadian men’s title on Halifax ice, beating Brad Heidt’s Saskatchewan entry in a high scoring, mistake-filled finale before 7,351 fans at the Halifax Metro Centre.

Tied 8-8 with the hammer coming home, Burtnyk made an open hit on the eight-foot with his final shot to win 10-8. Curling third for Heidt was Mark Dacey, who went on to skip Nova Scotia to the 2004 Brier Tankard title.

See ROBERTS, Page 14

Friday, March 12, 2010

Page 9

your guide to what’s goin’ on

The Sons Rise in the Patch

Next Stop…

The Sons of Maxwell are Don and Dave Carroll, brothers who have been singing together since their days in university. Tonight they’ll be entertaining the crowd at Keith’s Patch starting at 11:00 pm.

The Halifax-based duo has developed a large and dedicated fan base in a relatively short career. Their musical performance is always evocative and their onstage sibling interplay is warm, alluring and often hilarious.

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The brothers – along with a talented back-up band – deliver Dave’s thought-provoking lyrics in an interesting blend of musical styles, best described as pop/folk. The Sons of Maxwell are widely recognized for their unique vocal styles and harmonies.

TIM ES

BREWI

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on stage

Saturday, March 13 – Big Fish • 3:00 pm Mellotones • 11:00 pm Sunday, March 14 – Blueberry Grunt • 5:00 pm

Blue Bay When you’re looking for Blue Bay, check out the South Shore of Nova Scotia… with the exception of tonight when you’ll find them on stage in Keith’s Patch at 6:15 pm.

The founding members of Blue Bay hail from the communities of Blue Rocks and Mahone Bay. Together they’ve created a sound all their own based on a diverse selection of instruments and vocals.

The band, led by vocalist Susan Dibbin, has been entertaining audiences in the region for more than three decades. Rounded out

by Eddie Mader, Paul Smith, Ron Huestis and Brooks Carmody, they perform a wide selection of songs that set the tone for a crowded night on the dance floor.

The Party Line • Your guide to what’s goin’ on

Page 10

Flower How “Sweet” It Is! Power at the Brier After rising from the smaller pubs of Cape Breton, Bittersweet has grown into six-piece band known for its versatility and high-tempo shows. Tonight at 11:00 pm, they’ll put their show on stage in the Purple Heart Lounge.

The Halifax-based group covers a play list that includes East Coast favourites, classic rock hits and country rock. They’ve also been known to thrown in a few shanties, Celtic tunes, hard rock and bluegrass. Whatever the style, audiences are always guaranteed a high-energy performance.

Hit the Patch for the Cool Quarter Finals!

The attractive arrangements are designed to portray the original versions that have been flown on ships since the mid-1800’s. See if you can decipher the messages.

The following guide shows the letter associated with each flag.

Over the past four days, 128 teams have taken their best shots in the Cool Curling competition. It’s always a fun-filled atmosphere, but don’t be mistaken… there’s a serious side to every game!

(See the answers on page 12)

The first challenge has been making it through the qualifying rounds to play in today’s Quarter Finals. When today’s action is done, the eight survivors will move on to play in tomorrow’s championship playoff - with cash prizes in store for the final three. The first place team takes home $500, with $250 for second and $150 for third.

Meet the 32 teams that have earned the right to play in Keith’s Patch, starting at noon today, after the past four days of the qualifying rounds:

The Maritimes is famous for our colourful signal flags, used for communication at sea. At the Tim Hortons Brier, we’ve placed our “floral flags” in each corner of the Metro Centre.

Keith’s Patch MC Stuart Brown and Roger Powell, Manager of Talent and Production test the table in preparation for the Cool Curling playdowns.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Garrett and Derrick

Don and Boyce

Walter and Nick

Billy and Marilyn

Dave and Connor

Laverne and Shirley

Sam and Bonnie

Martha and Arlynn

Greg and Casey

Ben and Harry

Paul and Steve

Rodney and Gary

John and Heather

Brenda and Frank

Ian and Debbie

Judy and Anne

Brenda and Debbie

Willie and Jack

Linda and Rosemary

Bill and Jeff

Jessica and Craig

Penny and Carol

Heather and Tracy

Grace and Don

Dan and Bill

Ito and David

Colin and Ross

Mary and Rod

Doug and Jennifer

Bill and Dave

Dennis and Brian

Bob and Carl

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B

C

D

E

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H

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Friday, March 12, 2010

Page 11

One of the biggest “hits” of the 2003 Brier was the theme song “It’s a Shore Thing”. And it’s a crowd favourite again in 2010! Keith’s Patch MC Jimmy Jerome hosts a singalong several times each day. Here’s the words so you can be ready just in case he puts you in the spotlight.

Presented by:

First Time on the Big Stage

Oh Canada come on make tracks The Brier’s comin’ to Halifax Call the shots, scream and cheer Aye skipper over here Draw the button, throw the guard Hit the broom or ya hurry hard Tim Hortons Brier, it’s a shore thing, Tim Hortons brier it’s a shore thing Tap your toes and sing along Better get your bluenose on New Brunswick, P-E-I There’s no time like a maritime Newfoundland will be here too…sociable Tim Hortons Brier it’s a shore thing, Tim Hortons brier it’s a shore thing

Today – 6:30 pm

It’s a shore thing here in Halifax Everybody’s comin’ to party in the patch It’s a shore thing, everybody sing…Hey! Tim Hortons Brier, it’s a shore thing Tim Hortons Brier, it’s a shore thing

Ian Fitzner-LeBlanc’s first trip to the Tim Hortons Brier comes on the heels of an undefeated performance at the Nova Scotia provincial championship – defeating the likes of Mark Dacey and Shawn Adams along the way.

From the prairies and Ontario, even from the other coast We’re lightin’ up the house tonight and partyin’ with all our might Everyone is comin’ round to Halifax to rock the town Tim Hortons Brier it’s a shore thing, Tim Hortons brier it’s a shore thing

Kevin Koe makes his debut at the national championship after curling to the top of the Alberta provincials. In his case, it took three consecutive wins over Randy Ferbey to lay claim to the Purple Hearts.

Make sure you catch their premieres this evening in the Purple Heart Lounge!

Chorus Tim Hortons Brier It’s a shore, shore thing….Nova Scotiable…..

Lyrics: Rod Palson • Music: Michael Rheault

Download the song at seasonofchampions.ca - click on the Audio and Video link on the Tim Hortons Brier website.

The Party Line • Your guide to what’s goin’ on

Page 12

92,209

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The Nifty Fifty 50

Won... and Still Counting!

50/50 Winners

The 50/50 draws use an electronic system that displays real time pool updates on the video screen in the Halifax Metro Centre and Keith’s Patch. A 50/50 prize will be awarded for each Brier draw.

Here’s how it works: • four purchase outlets are located in the Metro Centre and one outside Keith’s Patch • tickets are also available from vendors with handheld devices in the Metro Centre and Patch • tickets are printed at the point of sale and the total pot is automatically updated so you can watch it grow

Darrell - Calgary, AB

Wednesday, Draw 14 – Gord Young, Radville, SK – $7,625

Thursday, Draw 15 – Darrell, Calgary, AB – $6,278 Draw 16 – Don & Arnie Olexan, SK – $6,468

Hit Us With Your Best Shots!

Email pictures to: partylinepics@curling.ca (Please note: Cameraphone images may not be of suitable quality to reproduce.)

zone, grip, hack, and draw

Picture Perfect

The words signaled by the “floral flags” are

Picture Perfect is the “fan’s eye” view from Halifax. When you’re capturing your favourite memories from the Tim Hortons Brier, send them in… they may just show up in The Party Line.

Friday, March 12, 2010

From Page 4

WOOD: 25 years He has a sizeable insurance brokerage (two offices) in Winnipeg and is in the process of buying out his partner. His daughter eventually will buy him out.

“It’s a wonderful business,” he says.

“I want to spend a little more time watching it but I’m in a position now where I can go and do whatever I want.

“I still have my health, even though

I had two stents put into my arteries in August. I still have my health and I want to do some different things.

“I’ve got a lot of them to do, pal.”

He recalls certain proud moments.

“When I go through airports and other places and people say, ‘Oh, I know you, you’re the curling guy.’ And I ask, ‘Oh, you’re a curler’? And they say, ‘No, I’ve never curled.’

“And I think the fact that Vic and Linda and I have been able to spur the interest of so many non-curlers and generate an wider interest in the game — that is something I’m most proud of.”

Page 13 “The perspective you get from sweeping rocks is totally different from standing down at the teehead all by yourself, directing traffic,” said the polite Jacobs, who refers to media inquisitors as ”gentlemen.”

“You have time up there to take it all in and look around. When you’re sweeping you have no time to pay attention to other things. That’s basically why I felt the pressure a bit. Of course, I’m miles more comfortable now.”

The way he was ringing up double-kills against Gushue, that was more than obvious.

“We played in a Slam in early January in an arena,” said Jacobs. “Our provincials were in the Sudbury Curling Club and it was exactly like arena ice. So we were well prepared to play on this surface here.

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From Page 7

SOO There was a lot of complaints about the ice at the provincials the year before, so they wanted to make sure the ice was perfect for this one and it was.

“They brought in rocks that were exactly like the rocks here. They curled a lot. They weren’t getting nearly as much curl with their own club rocks. You get two to three times more curl with these. Definitely the rocks are the main difference. I think everybody would agree with that. They really know what they’re doing out here (in terms of rocks sand ice) and it is much appreciated by all these players. You can’t believe what a pleasure it is to play on this stuff.”

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So what about the formidable assignment of Brier playoffs?

“You don’t think about it,” said Jacobs. “You don’t think about who you’re playing next. I stay in the present and that’s what you have to do. Tiger Woods used to preach that all the time. Stay in the present.

That’s what we’re trying to do. We’re not worrying about where we’re going to finish. We just want to go and take it, one shot, then another. Our destiny is in our hands.”

Any way you slice it, though, this is a biggie in the curling lives of this modest squadron.

“I think all of us would agree this is the highlight to date,” said Jacobs.

“We’re representing Northern Ontario well so far and that feels really good. I’m ecstatic right

now. It has been so long since Northern Ontario has made the playoffs. I know everybody back home is just absolutely thrilled.

“The three guys I play with are animals. They’re phenomenal players. They really are. We’re putting on a performance every game.

And that’s normally what we do. We’ve got a lot to prove and I think we’re doing a pretty good job of it. I think our percentages show that.”

This team, too, has handled all the ancillary Brier distractions with aplomb.

“We’ve been to the Patch twice,” Jacobs admitted.

“But not lately.

“And we won’t be back in there as long as we’re playing in the Brier.”

Arguably, that may be one of the secrets of their success.

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Page 14

Tankard Times

Mayor Peter Kelly and Members of Halifax Regional Council are pleased to welcome all athletes and sports enthusiasts to the 2010 Tim Hortons Brier. Come share in the excitement as the country’s most accomplished male curlers compete in one of the most anticipated events of the Canadian Men’s curling scene. We wish you all success and trust your visit will be a truly memorable experience. Enjoy!

2000: Greg McAulay led British Columbia to its first title since 1994 with a 9-5 win over Russ Howard and his New Brunswick quartet. McAulay broke open a tight game, scoring two in the eighth and stealing three in the ninth. B.C. second Bryan Miki set a record for a second in a Brier final, curling an amazing 98 per cent.

2005: The Page 1 vs. 2 playoff game at Edmonton’s Rexall Place was notable for more than the fact Alberta beat Manitoba 7-4 and went straight to the championship final.

With a full house in attendance, it also marked the first Brier to exceed the 250,000 benchmark in paid attendance.

2009: Russ Howard beats the Territories (Jamie Koe) 11-4 in the 16th draw for a record 113th victory

From Page 8

ROBERTS: McAulay breaks through as a skip. Howard also owns the Brier records for the most appearances with 14, the most games played with 174, and the most losses with 61.

2009: Edmonton’s Kevin Martin beat Glenn Howard’s Ontario team 7-5 in the 17th draw for Alberta’s record 24th win in a row, dating back to the Page 3 vs. 4 playoff game in 2007. Martin broke the previous record of 23 straight wins set by

Cheering hard in Halifax.

From Our House to Yours

Official Wine Supplier of the 2010 Tim Hortons Brier

Greg McAulay: 2000 Brier champ from B.C. Alberta’s Randy Ferbey in 2005.

(Alex Roberts is a freelance writer based in Halifax)

Friday, March 12, 2010

Page 15

From Page 6

JONES: ‘All fiery guys’ Koe’s brother Jamie, who skips the Territories team, agrees people don’t understand the way it is with his brother’s team.

“They are all fiery guys,” says Jamie. “They are totally different off the ice.

But on the ice they’re competitive. Some people say they get uptight. But they need the intensity. I think a lot of it comes from Blake.

You need one guy to really bring the intensity and I think he’s the guy who brings alot of it.”

“We’re really honest with each other. We’re not stroking each other’s

Blake MacDonald: On his way out? egos,” said MacDonald.

“We’re not worried about hurting each other’s feelings. It’s the way we are.

We don’t take any of it off the ice with us.”

No, but in this sport where the athletes are all wearing microphones and fans sit in on almost every conversation, they do bring it into your living room. And mine.

No all-Ontario final match ever has been staged at the Brier. In fact, no all-Ontario Page OneTwo game has transpired in the past although the Ontario teams finished one-two in the 1990 round robin and finished tied with B.C. and Manitoba for top spot in 1993.

By coincidence, the second-place finisher in 1990 was skipped by Jacobs’s uncle, Al Harnden, who lost the semi-final.

Gushue’s victory earned his inconsistent Newfoundlanders the last playoff berth and eliminated Jeff Stoughton of Winnipeg who missed the playoff round for the third time in seven Brier appearances.

“We do it to ourselves, so we deserve what we get,” allowed the Manitoba skip. “You lose four games, usually it’s pretty

From Page 2

FOUR tough to get in there.”

So what was the Ontario key to an undefeated rampage through the week’s round robin?

“I think reading the ice and the reading the weight well has been an advantage for us this week,” Howard was saying. “It’s never been quite the same, game in and game out, and we’ve been able to adjust. It’s like going to a different golf course every day, putting on different greens. Conditions are great but you just have to read it that day. I think we did a great job of that.

“We all did it as a team, too. It’s not just me. The guys picked up on all the nuances of the ice and the

speed and you need that.”

Howard said he’s seen more missed draw shots this week than in previous Briers.

“It’s sort of shocking,” he said. “Usually, at this level, you don’t see so much of that. I think I’ve seen more draws missed this year than the last three or four. I think it’s a matter of the ice changing here and there. Every Brier is like this and the more experience you get on this type of ice the better off you are. I mean, you put another 1,000 people in the arena and it changes things. You never know. You have to learn to recognize it.”

The Northern Ontario team, riding an eightgame winning streak, bombarded Reid’s Quebecers 9-3 in the afternoon and stunning a sloppy Gushue 8-4 in

the morning.

A 9-2 record “is definitely a better goal than we had in mind,” said Jacobs, the youngest skip at the Brier, whose batting order includes third E.J. Harnden, second Ryan Harnden and lead Caleb Flaxey.

Said Gushue in the wake of his evening rout: “It’s nice to be in the playoffs, not the position we hoped for, but now we have an opportunity over the next three days to see if we can pull it off. We’re going to have to win three tough games against three tough opponents. But we’ve done that to win events before.”

In fact, no team ever has won the Brier after qualifying for the Page Three-Four playoff.

“Eventually someone’s got to do it,” he said.

“Maybe it will be us this time. It’s overdue.”

Pier 21 | 1055 Marginal Road Between 1928 and 1971 over 1.5 million immigrants, war brides, displaced people, evacuee children and Canadian military personnel passed through Pier 21. Were your ancestors among them? Use Pier 21’s extensive research services to find out.

Look for insider’s tips every day during the Brier and visit us at the novascotia.com booth. And for more ideas on how to make the most of your vacation, visit novascotia.com/brier or follow us at twitter.com/cynatnovascotia.

Page 16

Tankard Times

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Manitoba: Skip: Jeff Stoughton Home: Winnipeg Began curling at age: 15 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Co-ordinator, Financial Business Systems Employer: Air Canada Date of birth: July 26 1963 Place of birth: Winnipeg Marital status: Married Spouse/partner: Hali Weiss Children: Riley (18), Cole (15), Elizabeth (6) Favourite food: Anything, as long as he doesn’t have to cook Favourite drink: Coke Celebrity dream woman: Nope Most annoying celebrity: None All-time favourite movie: Star Trek 2009 Last movie he loved: Avatar Last movie he hated: None Tattooed? No Never leaves home without: Visa Ten ends or eight? Ten ends Tiebreakers or no tiebreakers? Tiebreakers Extra ends or no extra ends?

Extra ends Competed in: 88, 89, 91, 94 Mixed Nationals, 91, 96, 99, 00, 06, 07, 09 Brier, 96, 99 World Men’s, 91, 97, 01, 05, 09 Olympic trials.

Third: Kevin Park Home: Edmonton Began curling at age: 12 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Database manager Employer: Delvi Data Date of birth: Sept. 2, 1964 Place of birth: Hythe, Alta.

Marital status: Married Spouse/partner: Lynda Children: Kalynn (21), Brandt (16) Favourite food: Nothing in particular Favourite drink: None

Celebrity dream woman: Sandra Bullock Most annoying celebrity: Pierre McGuire All-time favourite movie: It’s a Wonderful Life Last movie he loved: Cast Away Last movie he hated: Superbad Tattooed? No Never leaves home without: A purpose Ten ends or eight? Eight ends Tiebreakers or no tiebreakers? Tiebreakers Extra ends or no extra ends?

Extra ends Competed in: 83, 84 Junior Nationals, 91, 92, 95, 09 Briers, 91 World Men’s, 91, 97, 01, 09 Olympic trials, 91 Olympic Games

Second: Rob Fowler

Red eyes, surf and turf, McLovin, Sandra ‘n’ Oscar, and neo-Trekkies

09 Olympic Trials, 98 Mixed Nationals

Lead: Steve Gould Home: Winnipeg Started curling at age: 15 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: National sales representative Employer: Asham Curling Supplies Date of birth: Oct. 6, 1972 Place of birth: Winnipeg Marital status: Married Spouse/partner: Francine Gould Children: Nathan (7), Rylan (4) Favourite food: Pizza Favourite drink: Beer Celebrity dream woman: Jennifer Aniston Most annoying celebrity: Jim Carreyy All-time me favourite movie: Bourne e Ultimatum Last movie he loved: Law Abiding g Citizen Last movie he hated: Anything with Jim m Carrey Tattooed? oed? Yes, two Neverr leaves home without: Keys Ten ends nds or eight? Ten ends Tiebreakers eakers or no tiebreakers? Tiebreakers Extra ends or no extra ends?

Extra ends Competed peted in: 96,, (fifth) 99, 06,, 07, 09 Briera, era, 96, (fifth) th) 99 World orld Men’s,, 97, 05,, 09 Olymympic trials als

Home: Brandon Began curling at age: 10 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Hyundai dealer Employer: Fowler Hyundai Date of birth: June 29, 1975 Place of birth: Brandon Marital status: Married Spouse/partner: Ericka Children: None Delivery: Right Favourite food: Pasta Favourite drink: Rickards Red Celebrity dream woman: Shania Twain Most annoying celebrity: Phil Hellmuth All-time favourite movie: Anchorman Tattooed? No Never leaves home without: From BlackBerry left, Rob Ten ends or eight? 10 Ends Fowler, Jeff Tiebreakers or no tiebreakers? Tiebreakers Stoughton, Extra ends or no extra and Steve ends? Extra ends Gould Competed in: 07, 09 Briers,

Fifth: Randy Dutiaume Home: Winnipeg Started curling at age: 17 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Owner Employer: Van-Gar Rink Supplies Date of birth: Winnipeg Place of birth: Dec. 1, 1962 Marital status: Married Spouse/partner: Penny Tolman Children: Dylan (21), Liam (10) Favourite food: Steak and lobster Favourite drink: Labatt Lite and clam juice Celebrity dream woman: Edith Labelle (ex UFC card girl) Most annoying celebrity: Martin Short or Tom Green All-time favourite movie: Silence Of The Lambs Last movie he loved: Avatar

Tattooed? No Never leaves home without: Pen knife Ten ends or eight? Eight ends Tiebreakers or no tiebreakers? Tiebreakers Extra ends or no extra ends?

Extra ends Competed in: 05, 07, 09 Briers.

09 Olympic trials

Coach: Norman Gould Home: Winnipeg Occupation/title: Local teachers’ union president Employer: St. James-Assiniboine Teachers’ Association Date of birth: October 15, 1966 Place of birth: Winnipeg Coached/player: Has been coaching for 21 years; coached 1996 Canadian and world champion Stoughton team, Japan men’s silver medalist in 1993, Japanese national mixed champion in 1994; won Junior Nationals, 86

Friday, March 12, 2010

Page 17

Time out for Tim Hortons Brier trivia who subsequently skipped teams at the Brier. (Hint – There are seven).

10. One of those actually skipped a Brier team from another

province. Who was he?

11. Which province in which year(s).

12. Everybody knows Kevin Martin won a national junior title and went on to win four Bri-

Answers land/Labrador Brier), Marchand (Quebec), Sullivan (New Brunswick), Joanisse (B.C.), Adams (Nova Scotia), Morris (Ontario) Gushue (Newfoundland/Labrador).

14. Secord 1962, Tod 1970, Fink 1973, Gowsell 1980, Jenkins 1995, Marchand 1983, Sullivan 1990-01, Joanisse 200107, Adams 2000-02-05, Morris 2002, Gushue 2003-04-05-07-08-09-10.

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12. Bayne Secord, Tom Tod, Danny Fink, Paul Gowsell, Bill Jenkins, Denis Marchand, Jamie Schneider, Bob Ursel, Jim Sullivan, Dean Joanisse, Shawn Adams, John Morris, Brad Gushue.

13. Secord (Saskatchewan junior, Ontario Brier), Tod (Northern Ontario), Fink (Saskatchewan junior, Manitoba Brier), Gowsell (Alberta), Jenkins (P.E.I. junior, Newfound-

1. How many points did Martin score in the second end of that final game?

2. Randy Ferbey has won six Briers. Name the years of those Briers and the skips of the runnerup in each case..

3. Something unique to the Brier occurred in 1993. What was it?

4. Who was involved?

7. How many?

8. Is this the most silver won by any province, if not which has won the most?

9. Name Nova Scotia junior champion skips

Peters.

5. Ottawa.

6. Alberta.

7. 14 silver.

8. Actually, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario each have won 14 silver.

9. Jim Florian, George MacCharles, Bill Campbell, Alan O’Leary, Dan Bentley, Shawn Adams, Ian Fitzner-LeBlanc.

10. MacCharles.

11. Newfoundland/Labrador in 1965 and 1966.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: How many points did Kevin Martin score in the first end of last year’s Brier final against Jeff Stoughton?

5. Where was this edition played?

6. Manitoba leads the Brier with 26 wins.

Alberta has 24. Which of these two provinces has the most silver medals?

QofD: None, it was blanked.

1. Martin scored three in the second end.

2. 1988 — Eugene Hritzuk; 1989 — Rick Folk; 2001 — Kerry Burtnyk; 2002 — John Morris; 2003 — Mark Dacey; 2005 — Shawn Adams.

3. Four teams finished tied for first place with identical 8-3 records.

4. Russ Howard, Rick Folk, Rick Lang, Vic

Larry Wood Tankard Times Editor

ers. No other national junior champion skip has directed one Brier winner. But 13 have tried, skipping Brier contenders. If you can name all 13, you’re a trivia champ.

13. Oh yeah? How about the provinces represented in each case?

14. How about the Brier years?

FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK...

Page 18

Tankard Times

2010 BRIER CUMULATIVE STATS (final round robin)

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Skips

Thirds

Name % age Glenn Howard (Ontario) 88 Brad Gushue (Nfld/Labrador) 83 Kevin Koe (Alberta) 82 Brad Jacobs (N. Ontario) 81 Jeff Richard (B.C.) 78 James Grattan (N.B.) 77 Jeff Stoughton (Manitoba) 77 Darrell McKee (Saskatchewan) 76 Rod MacDonald (P.E.I.) 74 Serge Reid (Quebec) 71 Ian Fitzner-LeBlanc (N.S.) 68 Jamie Koe (NWT/Yukon) 62

Name % age Richard Hart (Ontario) 88 E.J. Harnden (N. Ontario) 85 Blake MacDonald (Alberta) 84 Kevin Park (Manitoba) 84 Mark Nichols (Nfld/Labrador) 82 Bruce Korte (Saskatchewan) 81 Kevin Champion (P.E.I.) 79 Steven Howard (N.B.) 78 Stuart MacLean (N.S.) 77 Francois Gionest (Quebec) 77 Tom Shypitka (B.C.) 76 Kevin Whitehead (NWT/Yukon) 74

Seconds

Leads

Name % age Brent Laing (Ontario) 88 Carter Rycroft (Alberta) 86 Ryan Harnden (N. Ontario) 85 Ryan Fry (Nfld/Labrador) 85 Rob Fowler (Manitoba) 84 Roger Korte (Saskatchewan) 83 Tyler Orme (B.C.) 81 Mark O’Rourke (P.E.I.) 79 Jason Vaughan (N.B.) 79 Kent Smith (N.S.) 78 Simon Collin (Quebec) 77 Brad Chorostkowski (NWT/Yukon) 76

Name % age Nolan Thiessen (Alberta) 89 Andrew Robinson (P.E.I.) 88 Steve Gould (Manitoba) 88 Craig Savill (Ontario) 88 Jamie Korab (Nfld/Labrador) 86 Caleb Flaxey (N. Ontario) 85 Martin Gavin (NWT/Yukon) 84 Chris Anderson (B.C.) 82 Peter Case (N.B.) 82 Rob Markowsky (Saskatchewan) 81 Phil Crowell (N.S.) 81 Steeve Villeneuve (Quebec) 79

Teams Province Ontario (Howard) Alberta (K. Koe) N. Ontario (Jacobs) Nfld/Labrador (Gushue) Manitoba (Stoughton) P.E.I. (MacDonald)

% age 88 85 84 84 83 80

Province % age Saskatchewan (McKee) 80 British Columbia (Richard) 79 New Brunswick (Grattan) 79 Nova Scotia (Fitzner-LeBlanc) 76 Quebec (Reid) 76 NWT/Yukon (J. Koe) 75

Alberta’s Nolan Thiessen was the top lead through round-robin play, shooting 89 per cent.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Page 19

2010 TIM HORTONS BRIER SCHEDULE AND RESULTS

Standings (final round robin) Team Ontario N. Ontario Alberta Nfld/Labrador Manitoba Quebec Saskatchewan B.C. New Brunswick Nova Scotia P.E.I. NWT/Yukon

Playoff Games Today 7:30 p.m. — Page Playoff 1-2 game: Ontario vs.

Northern Alberta

Saturday, March 13 Noon — Page Playoff 3-4 game: Alberta vs. Nfld 7:30 p.m. — Semifinal: Page 1-2 loser vs. Page 3-4 winner

Draw 15 Results

Sunday, March 14 8 p.m. — Championship final: Page 1-2 winner vs. semifinal winner

Draw 16 Results

W L 11 0 9 2 8 3 8 3 7 4 5 6 4 7 4 7 3 8 3 8 3 8 1 10

Draw 17 Results

Alberta* NWT/Yukon %age Alberta NWT/Yukon

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T 3 0 0 2 0 2 0 1 x x 8 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 x x 3 Lead Second Third Skip Team 94 89 95 73 88 94 72 75 66 77

P.E.I.* New Brunswick %age P.E.I. New Brunswick

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T 1 1 0 2 0 1 2 0 2 x 9 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 0 x 4 Lead Second Third Skip Team 88 72 72 78 77 86/94 58 68 68 70

Nfld/Labrador* Quebec %age Nfld/Labrador Quebec

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T 2 0 3 1 2 0 0 x x x 8 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 x x x 2 Lead Second Third Skip Team 88 96 95 98 95 79 79 71 71 75

Nova Scotia Manitoba* %age Nova Scotia Manitoba

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 x x 3 1 0 2 1 0 3 0 2 x x 9 Lead Second Third Skip Team 88 84 73 61 77 86 84 92 82 86

Quebec* N. Ontario %age Quebec N. Ontario

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 x x x 3 1 0 3 2 1 0 2 x x x 9 Lead Second Third Skip Team 79 66 77 57 70 90 88 79 88 86

B.C. P.E.I.* %age B.C. P.E.I.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 x 3 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 2 x 6 Lead Second Third Skip Team 93 85 83 88 87 85 88 90 88 88

Nfld/Labrador* N. Ontario %age Nfld/Labrador N. Ontario

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T 0 1 0 0 2 0 1 0 x x 4 1 0 1 1 0 3 0 2 x x 8 Lead Second Third Skip Team 92 92 86 82 88 92 94 96 88 93

1 2 3 Saskatchewan* 1 1 0 Manitoba 0 0 0 %age Lead Saskatchewan 76 Manitoba 84

Alberta Ontario* %age Alberta Ontario

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 6 0 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 7 Lead Second Third Skip Team 83 81 74 86 81 89 84 84 88 86

Saskatchewan Nova Scotia %age Saskatchewan Nova Scotia

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 1 0 7 1 0 2 0 1 0 2 0 0 2 8 Lead Second Third Skip Team 94 90 89 83 89 83 73 76 81 78

1 2 3 New Brunswick 0 2 0 B.C.* 2 0 1 %age Lead New Brunswick 91 B.C. 79

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 T 1 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 7 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 1 8 Second Third Skip Team 89 85 81 86 91 85 81 84

NWT/Yukon* Ontario %age NWT/Yukon Ontario

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 T 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 6 2 0 1 0 0 3 0 1 7 Second Third Skip Team 77 82 67 76 83 91 69 82

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 x x 3 0 1 1 1 0 2 0 4 x x 9 Lead Second Third Skip Team 81 91 78 64 79 98 84 92 94 92

* —started game with the hammer

Page 20

Tankard Times

Alberta wins Brier’s fraternal fracas Larry Wood and Todd Kimberley Tankard Times

I

t wasn’t the titanic clash of the siblings everybody was hoping for. But, then, the much-hyped Glenn and Russ Howard show a year ago didn’t turn out to be a Calgary classic, either.

Thursday morning at the Metro Centre, the much-anticipated Koe showdown ended 8-3 with Alberta’s 35-year-old Kevin Koe holding the upper hand on younger brother Jamie, 32, from Yellowknife, representing the Territories.

“It’s kind of neat, but at the same time it’s a little

bittersweet, right?” said Kevin afterward.

“You’re always pulling for him, and you know one of us has to lose out there. It’s unfortunate that way, but I’m glad I had the chance to play him once at the Brier.”

Countered Jamie, who won the only previous battle of the brothers at a Canada Cup in Kamloops a few years ago when Kevin was playing third for John Morris: “I guess we’re even now. We really haven’t played each other at all over the years, so it’s kind of odd.

“Pretty cool. But it’s tough to play him,” added Jamie, whose Polars would eventually finish at 1-10. “You want him

to win, but we need a win ourselves. They were kind of on a roll, right now, so hopefully they can keep it going into the playoffs.

It’s good that we can cheer him on this weekend.

We’re going to be rooting for them.”

The Koe brothers grew up north of the 60th parallel, living in Inuvik and Yellowknife.

Their father Fred Koe, who has coached both boys as well as Jamie’s twin sister Kerry in numerous Scotties tournaments, was busting his buttons with pride when interviewed on TSN. “The whole North is proud of these two boys and their advancement in the game,” said Dad Koe.

Precisely Put. When the margin of error is small, precision wins the game.

John Deere is a proud supporter of the 2010 Tim Hortons Brier. www.JohnDeere.com

Kevin professed to be “a little worried” about the game, the importance of which was vital to the final playoff positions.

“You hate playing those teams that are out of it and can spend their time having a good time in the Patch,” he said earlier.

“Jamie’s had a lot of other things on his mind this week and it’s a fun game playing him but we really need it.”

Younger brother, in fact, wrote his final CA exam on Tuesday night at St. Mary’s University, missing a round of Brier action.

The pair played together in Juniors and early in their careers at Calgary.

Kevin skipped a National

Alberta’s Kevin Koe, below, and brother Jamie Koe of the Territories square off.

Mixed champ out of the Stampede City in 2000

with Susan O’Connor, Olympic silver medallist at Vancouver, playing third. It’s unlikely, though, the pair will re-unite.

“I think we’re both where we’re going to be as far as locations are concerned. So getting together again probably isn’t an option. It won’t happen.”

As for rumours of the Alberta squad’s impending breakup, “it’s not that we don’t like playing together,” Kevin said recently. “We’re all close friends. But we don’t make our living curling.

You’ve got your families to think about as well.

Who knows what happens to this team? Life situations change.”