Tankard Times March 9th

6

Issue 5 – Wednesday, March 10, 2010 • An Official Publication of the Canadian Curling Association.

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Alberta gives up six-ender in wild loss to Bluenosers, but rebounds in night draw

Kevin Koe’s Wild Rose gang searches for its mojo Tuesday afternoon in a strange 13-8 loss to Nova Scotia.

Tim Hortons Brier souvenir store is located at the foot of the escalator in the World Trade and Convention Centre.

Page 2

Tankard Times

Six of one, and a half-dozen of . . .

Larry Wood Tankard Times Editor

S

Jeff Stoughton, foreground, and Manitoba were paddled 7-2 Tuesday night by Kevin Koe’s Alberta rink, still smarting after a weird 13-8 afternoon loss to Nova Scotia.

uddenly, but not surprisingly, it’s box cars at the Tim Hortons Brier.

The wide division of the field never has happened this early. Six teams are in; six teams are playing for their reputations.

With four games remaining for each of the 12 teams in the Brier round robin starting today at the Metro Centre, the field has been split right down the middle. Six teams are 5-and-2 or better. Six are 2-and-5 or worse.

Meanwhile, the lowly home team from Halifax managed some meagre consolation on Tuesday, notching one of only eight six-enders recorded at the Brier since the event reduced its length of games to 10 ends in 1977.

None, however, involved a winless team at mid-week defeating a favourite of the ilk of Alberta’s Kevin Koe. It transpired during the 10th draw of the 81st Canadian championship on Tuesday afternoon in the fifth end.

Strangely thereafter, Fitzner-LeBlanc and his team of Stuart MacLean,

Kent Smith and Phil Crowell had to hang on by its fingernails to finally record a wild 13-8 victory in nine ends over Kevin Koe of Edmonton.

“We got up early with some good play,” explained the Nova Scotia skip, “took a 5-0 lead and they got a deuce back won a great shot by Koe. So we just decided we wanted to keep the zeroes off the board and find away to score. He was very aggressive, trying to get back into it; Stuart and I made doubles and he rubbed on his last one.

So it was a half-rock in for six.”

Then what happened?

Did complacency set in?

“I wouldn’t like to think so but it certainly may have appeared that way,” said Fitzner-LeBlanc.

“We were focused, I think. They played a solid second half and when you’re playing one of the top teams in the world which is what they are, it’s tough to match them shot-for-shot. But a win’s a win; the scoreboard doesn’t take pictures; and we’re happy.”

Prince Edward Island’s Peter Gallant posted the last six-ender recorded at the Brier, clubbing Nova Scotia’s Brian Rafuse 13-3 in 2008 at Winnipeg.

Ian Fitzner-LeBlanc’s Halifax outfit has its first win of the 2010 Tim Hortons Brier.

There were six other six-enders since 1977, with Randy Ferbey vs. Quebec (2004), Wayne Middaugh of Ontario vs. Quebec (2001), Russ Howard of Ontario vs. Northern Ontario (1987), Larry Pineau of Northern Ontario (1987), Al Delmage of the Territories vs. Alberta (1987), and Ed Lukowich of Alberta vs. Newfoundland (1984) posting the big ends.

Current Island lead Andrew Robinson skipped P.E.I. to the only sevenender in recent Brier history at Saskatoon in 2000.

Robinson’s victim was Shawn Adams of Nova Scotia.

“We were down so we had to gamble and we didn’t make our shots,” explained Koe, the first Alberta skip to yield a six-ender in the Brier’s

modern era.

“You can’t play just to keep the score close, you try to get back into it and it didn’t go our way. You get down three in the first end, it’s tough to come back against anyone.”

Koe and his troops rebounded Tuesday night to stun Manitoba’s Jeff Stoughton 7-2 and pull even with a 5-2 record.

Joining that pair at 5-2 were Quebec’s surprisingly rookie Serge Reid of Jonquiere and Northern Ontario’s youthful Brad Jacobs of Sault Ste. Marie.

“We had to bear down and bring some of these teams back to us,” said Koe. “We knew we had to play better. We’ve been struggling. Hopefully this will give us a boost.”

Said Stoughton, who tumbled behind 6-1 after six ends: “That was a stinker. I had an open hit and whiffed it, then I was four feet light on a draw for a deuce. When you get down you have to make them all and we weren’t making them. It was strictly poor execution.”

Each of them trailed leader Glenn Howard of Ontario (7-and-0) by two games and secondplace Brad Gushue of Newfoundland/Labrador (6-and-1) by one game.

Please see SIX, Page 15

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Page 3

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HOUSE WOR K twice on Tues : At left, Quebec, led by S er d Brad Gushue’ ay to shoot up to a surpri ge Reid, right, won sing 5-2 reco s squad from rd. pacesetting O th ntario, sitting e Rock is just a game bac Above, with a 6-1 log k of book.

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Page 4

Tankard Times

Jones waves the flag Rock Solid COVERAGE on ‘Canada’ concept 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

F

unny thing about curling. Old saws keep resurfacing. Tall foreheads in back rooms think changes are necessary and when those changes are shot down the first time, the modus operandi of the moguls is to keep bringing ’em back in one form or another.

And bringing ’em back, and bringing ’em back.

A lot of the changes on the current table are questionable.

From the standpoint of growing the game, though, the proposal of adding a defending champion (Team Canada) to future Brier fields makes some sense.

What’s that? Don’t think so? Let’s check with someone who has been there. None other than Nova Scotia’s own Colleen Jones, skip of five Team Canada entries at the women’s version of the Brier, the Scotties Tournament Of Hearts.

“I think they should bring it into the Brier,” says Colleen, without taking as much as a second to think about it.

“From a marketing standpoint, I think it’s a necessity.

I mean, you have a two-time defending champion who is not here. That’s a shame. In terms of ticket sales, having the Kevin Martin team at the Metro Centre would mean automatic ticket sales.

“I think, as we try to take the game to the next level, to not go with a Team Canada on the men’s side, and to not start to market our stars, is a mistake. The CCA has been hesitant to market the stars of the game and it has been up to the World Curling Tour and to sponsors that use people like Jennifer (Jones) in commercials. But the more the Team Canada concept is used and the more billboard faces of the game are produced, the better off the game will be.

“I just think the argument is so sound for the men’s side. I think if Martin was here after the Olympic high, they would have filled the place every time they were playing. Right now the place doesn’t feel that full, and there’s a postOlympic blues, but you know NHL games will still draw, and it’s all about making stars and always making sure the best always are at your event.

And I think the public perception in Canada right now is that the best guy in Canada is not here.”

Public perception isn’t off base here, of course. But the Team Canada concept on the women’s side has had its detractors over the years.

“I think it has helped the women’s game enormously,” argues Jones. “When they introduced it (1986 with Linda Moore’s ’85 champions) it

created buzz and hype almost immediately. And it gave host committees something to market.

“I mean, Charlottetown already knows Jennifer Jones is going to be there next year.

So they are going to be able to attract people from Manitoba, as well as the home crowd, plus anybody else in the country who wants to go there to watch Jennifer play.

“A men’s Team Canada would help thne Brier just as it has helped the women” Colleen Jones, who skipped five Team Canada entries at the Scotties

“There always are four names you know at the Brier that are great, but we’re returning to the haves and havenots of curling because the current system rewards those who have the sponsorship dollars to do all the travelling.

So those teams are getting a lot better and the other teams

can’t do that kind of travelling. A men’s Team Canada would help the Brier just as it has helped the women.”

Some observers and some participants argue the constant return of the same defending champions tilts the competitive balance.

“Team Canada gets used to the pressure,” says Jones. “So those teams go in with the added bonus of been-there, done-that, wrote-the-book, I-am-not-afraid, and they become somewhat invincible, And, yes, that’s the downside.

“The other teams are hungry to have what Team Canada has and they put a lot of pressure on themselves to win and compete and that changes the whole psyche of the approach to the game because they’re trying to win at all costs. You might even see Kevin Koe succumbing to some of that here. I mean, he’s finally made it to the Brier after all these years, now he really wants to do it. He doesn’t know when he’s going to get back because Martin’s going to be back in the Alberta playdowns next year.”

But what about the maple leaf — that large red target on your back?

“That doesn’t matter,” scoffs Jones. “It’s a free pass and it’s a good one to have and I don’t see how it hurts curling. It benefits the game from a marketing point of view. The host committee has somebody to promote.”

Please see WOOD, Page 15

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Page 5

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Quebec: Skip: Serge Reid Home: Jonquiere, P.Q. Began curling at age: 16 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Chef de Division Relations de travail Employer: Ville de Saguenay Date of birth: August 19, 1963 Place of birth: Jonquiere Marital status: Married Spouse/partner: Kathleen McGrath Children: Jean-Philippe (17), Samuels (15) Favourite food: Lobster Favourite drink: Red wine Celebrity dream woman: Halle Berry Most annoying celebrity: Carey Price All-time favourite movie:: Avatar Last movie he loved: Avatar atar Last movie he hated: Gamer amer Tattooed? No Never leaves home without: out: Toothbrush Ten ends or eight? 10 ends nds Tiebreakers or no tiebreakakers? Tiebreakers Extra ends or no extra ends? Extra ends Competed in: This is his first national championship

Third: Francois is Gionest Home: Alma, P.Q. Began curling at age: 15 5 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Research ch Employer: Universite du Quebec, Chicoutimi Date of birth: April 13, 1973 973 Place of birth: Roberval, P.Q. Marital status: Common-law -law Spouse/partner: Nathalie e Gagnon Children: Anne-Sophie (5), 5), Laetitia (2) Favourite food: Seafood Favourite drink: Soft drink nk

Salmon, red wine, Rocky rah-rah, Fergie fantasies, and the (Carey) Price is wrong

Celebrity dream woman: Rihanna All-time favourite movie: Rocky IV Last movie he loved: Dede a travers les brunes Last movie he hated: None Tattooed? No Never leaves home without: Water bottle Ten ends or eight? Eight ends Tiebreakers or no tiebreakers? Tiebreakers Extra ends or no extra ends?

Extra ends Competed in: This is his first national championship

Second: Simon Collin Home: Roberval, P.Q. Began curling at age: 11 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Director

Employer: Maison des jeunes Kiwanis and VÊlos Bleus, Roberval Date of birth: July 20, 1976 Place of birth: Amos, P.Q. Marital status: Relationship Spouse/partner: Claudia Pitt Children: Tristan (3), Élie (19 months), Vincent (due midJune, 2010) Favourite food: Ribsteak Favourite drink: Coors Lite Celebrity dream woman: Fergie Most annoying celebrity: Paris Hilton All-time favourite movie: Shawshank Redemption Last movie he loved: Madagascar 2 Last movie he hated: The Forgotten Tattooed? No Never leaves home without: His keys Ten ends or eight? 10 ends Tiebreakers or no

tiebreakers? Tiebreakers Extra ends or no extra ends?

Extra ends Competed in: 96 Junior Nationals

Lead: Steeve Villeneuve Home: Chicoutimi Began curling at age: 32 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Proprietor Employer: Remise Du Fjord Date of birth: January 10, 1962 Place of birth: Chicoutimi Marital status: Married Spouse/partner: Dominique Children: Marie-Pier (20), Simon (18), Jeremy (15) Favourite food: Steak Favourite drink: Beer Celebrity dream woman: Jennifer Aniston All-time favourite movie: Avatar Last movie he loved: Avatar Last movie he hated: Blinde Tattooed?

No Never leaves home without: Cellphone Ten ends or eight? Eight ends Tiebreakers or no tiebreakers?

Tiebreakers

Extra ends or no extra ends?

Extra ends Competed in: This is his first national championship

Fifth: Pierre Charette Home: Gatineau, P.Q. Began curling at age: 26 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Golf pro, general manager Employer: Tecumseh Golf Club Date of birth: June 23, 1955 Place of birth: Masson, P.Q. Marital status: Married Spouse/partner: France Charette Children: Duff (29), Kim (26) Favourite food: Salmon Favourite drink: Red wine Celebrity dream woman: ShaC nia Twain ni Most annoying celebrity: Gary M Bettman B Favourite movie: The Sting Fa Last movie he loved: Avatar La Tattooed? No Ta Never leaves home without: N BlackBerry B Ten ends or eight? Eight ends Te Tiebreakers or no tiebreakTi ers? Absolutely tiebreakers er Extra ends or no extra ends?

Ex Absolutely extra ends A Competed in: 89-93-96-97-98C 98-07 Briers, 86, 92 National 98 Mixed M

Coach: Paul Gagnon H Home: Alma, P.Q. Occupation/title: Icemaker O Employer: Club Curling RiverE bend be Date of birth: Dec. 26, 1942 D Place of birth: Alma, P.Q. P Coached/player: First-time C Brier coach B

Francois Gionest, left, and Simon Collin

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Tankard Times

Howard reunion tour lands in Halifax

Sun Media Columnist

T

hey should make it a separate promotion. Maybe give fans those eye-holespunched-out pictures of Glenn, Russ and Steven on a stick to put in front of their faces while they watch the game.

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Brunswick’s James Grattan this year instead of a part-time rotate-in-andout-of-the-lineup lead with the Old Man. And Russ? He was up in the colour commentator’s chair in the TSN booth he’ll take over full time when Ray Turnbull retires at the end of the season.

At least this year at the Howard Family Picnic, Steven didn’t have to go through the process of having his dad shout at him at 9 a.m. in front of his favourite uncle. Not to mention having to watch his dad bust his broom in three places like he did in that game.

Not like last year, a very

Brier veteran Glenn Howard, left, and nephew Steven. special day in Canadian sport as Old Yeller, the now 54-year-old Olympic gold-medal winner who put “Hurry Hard!” into curling vocabulary, combined with his now

25-year-old son Steve playing lead and 47-year-old uncle Glenn on the other side of the scoreboard.

“It was fun. Obviously it was a closer game than last year,” said Glenn of the 7-4 win over New Brunswick on Monday.

Last year it was a 7-2 Ontario win.

“It’s always fun playing against Stevie,” said Glenn. “And we had a bit of fun together with Russ doing the game up in the broadcast booth.”

“They carved me in the fifth end,” said Russ.

“Glenn called me a fossil.”

Said Glenn: “I told Steve I was playing in Briers before he was born. He said: ‘At least I have hair.’ ”

Russ said that’s the first thing he noticed when he did a morning draw game with Glenn earlier in the week: “The overhead camera shots aren’t very flattering.”

Steve still has his hair.

But he doesn’t expect to have it long. “Five more years,” he said. “It’s going to be soon. Glenn said when he turned 30 it was gone. Dad doesn’t have much, either.”

For 17 years, Russ played with his brother Glenn in winning a couple of Briers and world championships.

Please see JONES, Page 15

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Or give everybody free Howard bobblehead dolls.

Something like that.

It’s becoming an annual deal.

Last year at the Calgary Brier, for the first time since 1942, it was brother vs. brother skipping teams — an act Jamie and Kevin Koe have copied this year.

Last year, Steven, son of Russ, played for his father, skipping New Brunswick, for the first time against uncle Glenn.

This week, they brought back the same show back with a twist.

Glenn still was skipping Ontario with no losses in sight, but Steven became a full-time third for New

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Page 7

Sociable gang storms Maritimes Meg Wallace For the Tankard Times

A

ll together now . . . sociable!

Every Brier has its outstanding moments.

Its outstanding teams, ice, city, Patch, crowd.

Halifax Briers never have been any different.

Back in action this year are all the usual Brier suspects — the Northern Ontario Mooseheads, the Ontario flag bearer making his daily run without tripping, the yellow Sou’westers and painted blue noses. But this 2010 Brier has a bunch of new kids on the block.

Take a gander at Section 13 “CokeZone” in the very front row and you’ll see the new kids.

Seven guys and a girl on hand to experience the Tim Hortons Brier in every aspect and make themselves uniquely memorable as well.

Dressed in different costumes each day – full Scottish regalia (yep, the

true Scotsman’s way – including wool burn!), and lumberjack outfits (they wouldn’t spoil the surprise by revealing what the remainder of the week will bring in terms of clothing and accessories!), this gang is making an impression on the crowds.

And the crowds already have adopted them because of their outstanding “SOCIABLE” letters!

What brought them here? Basically, the experience of the final day of the 2009 Calgary Brier — where these eight friends showed up en masse with T-shirts spelling “HURRY HARD” and became a crowd pleaser. Richard Yacyshen, the only one in the group who had been to a Brier before Calgary, used peer pressure to drag his buddies to the Brier to show them what the party on ice is all about.

Joining Yacyshen in Halifax are Jordan Biss, Nathan Woynarski, Tyson Woynarski, Mike Verdonck, Jamie

Yakimishyn, Mike Chez, and Jacqui Davis, each of whom is associated with Calgary’s Ukrainian community.

Their journey to Halifax is a story in itself. Nathan was one of the lucky ones to take in the last week of the Olympics at Vancouvedr so he was there to greet five of the group as they flew to Vancouver and boarded a VIA Rail train for the five-and-ahalf-day, cross-country journey to Halifax.

First impressions of Halifax and the 2010 Tim Hortons Brier?

“Everyone is so friendly!”

“Can’t get over the hospitality!”

“We love you guys!”

It’s a safe bet that before the Brier progresses much further, Halifax will love them back, and bet on what the next day brings for clothing themes.

Oh yes, and Biss wants everyone to join their Facebook Group — “VIA Rail Men’s Trip of Awesomeness.”

Eight members of Calgary’s Ukrainian community are living large.

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Page 8

Tankard Times

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

Steele Ford, the Official Vehicle Supplier of the 2010 Tim Hortons Brier, will be offering for sale the twenty four 2010 Ford Escape XLT 4-Wheel Drive’s and six 2010 Ford Flex’s used during this event.

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

Stoughton steals 25th title for ’Tobans

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ALEX ROBERTS Tankard Times Columnist

1949: The final day of the Hamilton Brier saw Ken Watson’s Manitoba team win all three of its draws, including a 14-9 last-round victory over B.C. to clinch the title with a 9-0 record.

This was Watson’s last appearance at the Brier as he became the first triple winner.

1951: Nova Scotia, skipped by Don Oyler,

posted a 13-7 victory in the morning draw over Manitoba at the new Dalhousie Memorial Rink to clinch the province’s first men’s championship since 1927 with one round to go. The afternoon draw offered an opportunity for Nova Scotia to become only the seventh team to go through a Brier without losing a game. The Nova Scotians did not disappoint, beating British Columbia 8-6, to finish with a perfect 10-0 ledger.

1961: Edmonton’s Hec Gervais secured the title in the last round with a 10-9 win over Ontario.

Alberta came back from a 9-4 deficit after eight ends, as three misses in the ninth end handed Alberta a four-ender. Ontario skip Tom Caldwell

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was heavy and narrow with his last rock in the 12th, ended up on a guard and gave the steal and the championship to Alberta.

1967: The final draw at the Centennial year Hull-Ottawa Brier saw Alf Phillips, Jr. clinch Ontario’s third Canadian men’s championship with an 11-9 comeback win over Prince Edward Island. Ontario trailed 6-0 after three ends, but a four in the fourth end sparked a withering comeback. Phillips clinched it in the 11th end with a last rock takeout to score three, and then ran P.E.I. out of rocks in the 12th to complete a famous victory.

See ROBERTS, Page 14

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Page 9

your guide to what’s goin’ on

Revved Up for One More Lap If you weren’t part of the crowd at Keith’s Patch last night, you’d better talk to someone who was there… they’ll tell you that you missed out on an electrifying performance by a powerful band.

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The Chevelles take over the stage at Keith’s Patch tonight with their legendary high-energy performance.

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Thursday, March 11 – Da’ Rock • 6:15 pm Matt Minglewood Band • 11:00 pm Friday, March 12 – Blue Bay • 6:15 pm Sons of Maxwell • 11:00 pm Saturday, March 13 – Big Fish • 3:00 pm Mellotones • 11:00 pm Sunday, March 14 – Blueberry Grunt • 5:00 pm

Fortunately, you have a second chance. The Chevelles will be shifting in to overdrive again tonight at 6:15 pm and 11:00 pm.

One of the most popular acts on the Season of Champions circuit, the band has been featured at the Tim Hortons Brier and Scotties Tournament of Hearts the past two years.

A night with the Chevelles is a memorable experience – one you won’t soon forget!

Performing an extensive array of hits from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, the group knows exactly how to get the crowd rockin’ on the dance floor.

The Chevelles are driven by Buck Chevelle (lead vocals/lead guitar), Kitty Chevelle (lead vocals/bass), Woody Chevelle (lead vocals/ rhythm guitar/keyboards) and T.T. Chevelle (vocals/drums/sound tech).

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

Page 10

Bell Aliant School Program Looks to the Future of the Game The enthusiastic cheers of young fans around the Metro Centre during the Tim Hortons Brier is the sound of the Bell Aliant School Program at work.

Maritime “Flags” Send Signals Signal flags are a common sight in the Maritimes where they’re used on ships for communication at sea. At the Brier we’re using them to send messages to the fans.

The program - designed to introduce young people to the game – is providing 3,700 tickets to Nova Scotia students during the Monday, March 8 to Thursday, March 11 draws. It is sponsored by Bell Aliant, along with the Canadian Curling Association, the 2010 Tim Hortons Brier Host Committee and the Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection.

Attractive “floral flag” arrangements, situated in the four corners of the Metro Centre, replicate the flags used by Maritime sailors.

Can you interpret the four words in the message?

The following guide provides the corresponding letter for each flag.

Bell Aliant has provided teachers with a booklet on curling basics as a teaching aide to help the students better understand the game in preparation for their Brier experience.

(See the answers on page 12)

Hit Us With Your Best Shots!

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.

Picture Perfect

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

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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It’s Simply

A Coast-to-Coast Conversation Today – 6:30 pm

The west coast’s Jeff Richard meets eastern counterpart Brad Gushue this evening in the Purple Heart Lounge - and you have an open invitation to take part in the conversation.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Gushue, making his seventh Brier appearance, is still seeking his first national men’s title. Mind you, he does have an Olympic gold medal to his credit. Fellow Olympians Mark Nichols and Jamie Korab will be there with him, along with Ryan Fry.

Presented by:

British Columbia’s Richard is making his first journey to the Tim Hortons Brier. Teammates Tom Shypitka, Tyler Orme and Chris Anderson will join their skip in the interactive fan session.

There may be no other shot in curling packed with as much pressure as the cold draw to the button! Especially during the semi-finals in front of a capacity crowd at the Metro Centre.

Well, just imagine yourself trying to make it – using a golf ball and a new Odyssey White Ice putter. It’s a 93-foot putt with a $100,000 prize on the line!

Stop by the White Ice Challenge, now located in the Upper Concourse of the Metro Centre, between now and Thursday and enter the contest for your chance to be

one of those competitors - contest closes Thursday at 8 pm.

Instant prize giveaways will be awarded… plus, out of all the entrants in the Purple Heart Lounge, one will emerge to putt for the big pot in the Metro Centre - with the chance to win the $100,000!

Half Way Home for Cool Curling Qualifiers The Cool Curling tables will be busy again today in Keith’s Patch as another 32 entrants take their best shot at making it through to Friday’s Quarter Finals.

Starting at noon, 32 teams will get down to business, with eight earning the right to advance to Friday action. Tomorrow is the final day in the qualifying

round where they’ll compete for a place in Saturday’s Championship playdown.

The Cool Curling competition is not only fun, the competitors have the chance to take home cash prizes... $500 for first, $250 for second and $150 for third.

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

Page 12

55,377

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Won... and Still Counting!

The Nifty Fifty 50

Twenty-four Nova Scotia junior curlers were selected by a random draw to an honorary position with a Tim Hortons Brier team.

The junior stars receive:

50/50 Winners Monday, Draw 8 – Dean Ross, Calgary, AB - $6,050

Tuesday, Draw 9 – Brian Salt, Carberry, MB – 1,590

Today’s feature stars are:

Team Newfoundland/Labrador • 3:00 pm Jacob Pecoskie • Lakeshore (Bedford) Raquel Bachman • Lunenburg Team New Brunswick • 7:30 pm Anderson Pinsent • CFB Halifax Brianne Nicholl • CFB Halifax Come out and meet the curlers – they’ll be signing autographs in the Purple Heart Lounge today and tomorrow.

Today

2 pm Ontario 6:30 pm Nova Scotia Thursday, March 11

2 pm Alberta & Newfoundland/ Labrador 6:30 pm New Brunswick

zone, grip, hack, and draw

• 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

Draw 10 winner Rick Casmey, Labrador City, NL - $4,370

• the opportunity to participate in one practice with the team • introduction and march with the curlers in a pre-game ceremony • 3 tickets to one of the team’s round robin games • a gift package from the host committee

The words signaled by the “floral flags” are

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:

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Page 13

ROAD TO THE TIM HORTONS BRIER

Koe crew upsets Alberta’s applecart Tankard Times staff

F

inally, it was a different story last month at the Alberta provincials at Olds.

This time the picture wasn’t of Blake MacDonald, raising his broom into the air instead of collapsing against the boards sobbing. This time he was hugging his teammates with that gap-tooth smile lighting up the arena instead of lying in a prone position like a deflated hot air balloon as his mother learned over beside the boards and tried to console him.

Three years ago in Drayton Valley, then throwing last rocks for Kevin Koe’s team, MacDonald missed two open draws to the eight-foot — in the 10th and 11th ends — and was unable to wrestle the provincial title away from Kevin Martin.

But this time it was skip Koe, who had shot the lights out throughout the playoffs, and he wasn’t going to miss a wide open shot to run Randy Ferbey out of rocks in a 7-5 win.

Hence, for the first time since 1999 when MacDonald made it to the Brier in Edmonton curling for Ken Hunka, somebody

other than Kevin Martin or Randy Ferbey will represent Alberta at the Brier.

ALBERTA “It’s been 11 years.

That’s a long time,” said MacDonald. “I was 21. I thought I was going to get there a lot of times. This feels really good. I really worked hard for this. To get there we had to beat

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arguably the best team of all time (Ferbey). And we have to credit them for helping us. If they weren’t there, we wouldn’t have become as good a team as we have become.”

Koe, who lives in Grande Prairie but curls out of Edmonton’s Saville Centre, agreed.

“We should have been there three or four years ago,” he said. “It’s such a good feeling. We had to beat that team (Ferbey) three times this weekend.

This is such a big step for us. This is one we haven’t been able to climb over.”

Second Carter Rycroft is back after an absence,

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No Martin or Ferbey?

Kevin Koe’s the man. last playing with Martin in 2006. Lead Nolan Thiessen is a Brier rookie.

Ferbey and his legendary crew that won the last

Halifax Brier with a 13-0 record lost 10-8 to Koe in the A final of the tripleknockout draw.

That catapulted Koe into the playoff and left Ferbey to squeeze out of B with a 9-5 win over Warren Hassall of Lloydminster.

Koe clubbed Ferbey 10-6 in the A-B final and moved directly to the championship game.

Ferbey rebounded to oust Ted Appelman of Edmonton 6-4 in the semi-final before coming a-cropper of Koe a third time in the final match.

Koe required only five straight wins to capture the Alberta title.

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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!

1990: New Brunswick beat P.E.I. 2-1 in an extra end to set a record for the lowest combined score in Brier history.

The game featured eight blank ends, with seven of the eight players curling over 90 per cent.

1991: Saskatchewan’s Randy Woytowich - a cashspiel veteran and former national mixed champion but a Brier rookie - finished the round robin in first place with an 8-3 record, tied with Alberta’s Kevin Martin but declared No. 1 because of a round-robin decision.

However, Woytowich needed a couple of lucky breaks in the last draw, beating Newfoundland’s John Boland 5-4 in an extra end.

1996: Jeff Stoughton of Manitoba won a tense final 8-7 in an extra end over the round-robin

From Page 8

ROBERTS leaders from Alberta, skipped by Kevin Martin.

In a game that featured six lead changes, Martin missed a last-rock tap on a Manitoba counter buried in front of the button, giving the Manitobans the steal and the province’s 25th championship.

Glenn, Russ Howard: Head to head in ’09.

Cheering hard in Halifax.

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2003: Randy Ferbey’s Edmonton team defeated Nova Scotia’s Mark Dacey 8- 4 in the Nokia Brier final. Steals in the eighth and ninth ends sealed the deal, after Nova Scotia lead 4-3 after six ends.

2009: When Ontario’s Glenn Howard played New Brunswick’s Russ Howard in the ninth draw, it marked just the second time in Brier history that two brothers had faced each other as skips. In 1942, brothers Donald Campbell of British Columbia and Gord Campbell of Ontario competed against one another at the men’s championship in Quebec City. Glenn Howard beat Russ Howard 7-2.

(Alex Roberts is a freelance writer based in Halifax)

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

From Page 6

JONES In all, old Hurry Hard Howard made it to a record 14 Briers as a skip and won the most games ever — 113.

Glenn is here for the 12th time, won another Brier (and Worlds) as skip and will have been holding the broom for 60 games himself if he makes it to Sunday’s final where he certainly appears to be headed again.

With what we’ve watched from Steve so far this year, you have to believe the Howard tradition is going to continue long into the future.

Steve finished the game tied for fourth among thirds at 81 per cent.

“He was 91% in his first Brier game at third. He’s

got the shots and he’s got the talent,” said Russ.

“You look at his percentage and you can figure out he belongs.

I talked to James Grattan during the game and he said Steve has been making everything,” said Glenn.

Last year, both Steve and Glenn curled 92 per cent in the family fixture in which his dad ended up at 77 per cent.

This year Glenn was at 89 per cent and Steve down at 71 per cent leaving his dad in a position of having to criticize him in the broadcast booth.

“I was hoping to have a day a bit better than it was,” said Steve. “I didn’t play very well.”

Dad said that made it tough to do the game.

“I had to be a little hard on Steve. He didn’t have his best game.”

Page 15

From Page 4

WOOD “And it’s the best target-on-your-back you’ll ever have, and, really, what I found was that, in my experience, it was such a massive bonus compared to whatever team you were playing that still had the deer-in-the-headlights look about them.

“You didn’t do it yourself, but it seemed you had a two-point edge going in. Having that maple leaf on your back certainly gave you a big platform. And the game, in these days of big-time marketing and everything else, needs to draw on its champions. So, whoever that is, they should be used. The experience you get from being on Team

Canada is amazing, really. You can’t even see, and you don’t even know, how much better you’re going to get because you get so many more opportunities that the average curler. And that experience teaches you that you don’t have to put pressure on yourself to be successful in this game.

“You look at Glenn Howard and Kevin Martin when they’re out playing. They don’t look like they have one ounce of nerves and I don’t think they do. They’ve been through the fire so many times now.

“And that’s what happens with Team Canada. And that may lead to a dominant factor, but I think, in terms of value to the game, it is more than balanced by its promotional value.”

From Page 2

SIX Howard and Gushue met in the 2007 Brier final with the former emerging the winner.

Jacobs defeated Jeff Richard (2-5) of British Columbia 7-3 Tueday night. Gushue stopped James Grattan (2-5) of New Brunswick 8-3.

In a match of alsorans, the Territories, with skip Jamie Koe on the absentee list, drubbed the Nova Scotians 7-2.

“We’ve been operating under the radar, which is exactly what I’ve been hoping for,” said Jacobs.

“We’re an underdog for sure, so it’s a nice feeling. My guys have been making it easy for me so far. Now we have to limit the mistakes and

hope to take advantage of the mistake or two you get from the big teams.”

The Soo crew have only Gushue and Quebec to play among the contending teams.

In other afternoon action, Quebec nudged the Islanders (1-6) Howard dumped Saskatchewan 9-5 and Gushue took the measure of B.C. 7-5.

Stoughton walloped the Territories 10-3 in the morning while Quebec hammered Saskatchewan 102, Northern Ontario stoned New Brunswick 7-2 and Ontario’s Howard breezed past the Islanders 8-2.

Lunenburg | Approximately 1 hour drive west from Halifax along highway 103. Take exit 10 for highway 3.

If you have half a day and an urge to explore Nova Scotia, spend it in Lunenburg. You’ll want to bring your camera to this picturesque seaside town. What’s more, Old Town Lunenburg has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And make sure to stop by The Knot for a steaming bowl of fresh seafood chowder.

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

Alberta: Skip: Kevin Koe Home: Grande Prairie Began curling at age: 13 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Surface Landman Employer: Talisman n Energy Date of birth: January uary 11, 1975 Place of birth: Edmonton monton Marital status: Married rried Spouse/partner: Carla Children: Ava (4), Lila (2) Favourite food: Seafood eafood Favourite drink: Coors Light Celebrity dream woman: Kate Beckinsale Most annoying celebrity: lebrity: Jamie Koe All-time favourite movie: Shawshank Redemption mption Last movie he loved: ed: The Hangover Last movie he hated: ed: None Tattooed? No Never leaves home me without: Lip balm Ten ends or eight? ? Eight ends Tiebreakers or no tiebreakers? Tiebreakers Extra ends or no extra ends?

Extra ends Competed in: 94 Junior Nationals, 00 Mixed Nationals, nals, 09 O-trials

Third: Blake ke MacDonald d Home: St. Albert Began curling at age: 12 Delivery: Smooth and silky (right) Occupation/title: Investment nvestment banker Employer: Franvest st Capital Partners Date of birth: April 10, 1976 Place of birth: Cold Lake Marital status: Married Spouse/partner: Lawnie MacDonald Children: Spencer (6), Bronwyn (3) Favourite food: Steak and king crab

Steak, crab, expensive red wine, sugar mama Oprah, and offers you can’t refuse

Favourite drink: Red wine (old and expensive) Celebrity dream woman: Oprah ($$$$$$$$$$$$$$$) Most annoying celebrity: Ben Mulroney All-time favourite movie: Shawshank Redemption Last movie he loved: Superbad Last movie he hated: G Force 9 Tattooed? Yes, armband Never leaves home without: His armband Ten ends or eight? Eight (I’m too old for 10 any more) Tiebreakers or no tiebreakers? The least number of tiebreakers possible (More time for the Patch!)

Extra ends or no extra ends? No extra ends; the leads on each team should wrestle for it.

From left, Nolan Thiessen, Kevin Koe and Carter Rycroft Competed in: 95 Junior Nationals, 99 Brier, 97 and 09 O-trials

Second: Carter Rycroft Home: Sherwood Park Began curling at age: 10 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Owner

Employer: Prairie West Ventures Date of birth: August 29, 1977 Place of birth: Grande Prairie Marital status: Yes Spouse/partner: Sheila Children: Jayden (14), Leah (5) Favourite food: Steak and crab Favourite drink: Red wine

Ten ends or eight? Eight Tiebreakers or no tiebreakers? Tiebreakers Extra ends or no extra ends?

Extra ends Competed in: 98 Junior Nationals, 00, 06 Briers, 01, 05, 09 O-trials, 02 Olympic Games

Lead: Nolan Thiessen Home: Edmonton Began curling at age: 11 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Chartered accountant Employer: Ernst & Young Date of birth: November 6, 1980 Place of birth: Pilot Mound, Man. Marital status: Girlfriend

Celebrity dream woman: Carrie Underwood Most annoying celebrity: None All-time favourite movie: Tombstone Last movie he loved: Taken Tattooed? No Never leaves home without: Cellphone

Spouse/ partner: Christine Children: None Favourite food: Pizza, steak Favourite drink: Gibson’s rye, chocolate miilk Celebrity dream woman: Marissa Miller Most annoying celebrity: Ben Hebert All-time favourite movie: The Godfather, Parts I&II Last movie he loved: Inglourious Basterds

Last movie he hated: New York I Love You Tattooed? Yes, one.

Never leaves home without: Clothes, cellphone Ten ends or eight? Eight ends Tiebreakers or no tiebreakTiebr ers? Tiebreakers Extra ends or no extra ends?

Extra ends Competed in: 01 Junior NationCom 09 O-trials. als, 0

Fifth: Jamie King Fi Hom Edmonton Home: Began curling at age: 13 Bega Delivery: Right Deliv Occupation/title: Commercial Occu credit manager Employer: TD Bank Emp Date of birth: Nov. 21, 1973 Place of birth: Edmonton Marital status: Married Marit Spouse/partner: Marie Spou Children: None Child Favourite food: Lobster Favo Favourite drink: Rye and Coke Favo Celebrity dream woman: Kate Celeb Hudson Huds Most annoying celebrity: Kanye West Kany All-time favourite movie: CadAll-ti dyshack dysha Last movie he loved: The Wrestler Wres Never leaves home without: Neve Pack of Halls ends or eight? Eight Ten e Tiebreakers or no tiebreakTiebr ers? ers Tiebreakers Extra ends or no extra Ex ends? Extra ends en Competed in: 2009 O-Trials Co

Coach: John Dunn Co Occu Occupation/title: Sport psychology consultant; university professor Employer: University of Alberta Date of birth: April 11, 1967, Bellshill, Scotland Coached/player: Canadian men’s and women’s biathlon teams, Canadian men’s alpine ski team

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Page 17

Time out for Tim Hortons Brier trivia

© 2010 Ernst & Young LLP. All rights reserved.

Prepared for the future economy? ey.com/ca

10. The last Canadian champion to suffer but a single defeat throughout the Brier was Wayne Middaugh of Toronto in 1998. Name the skip who beat him. Also the skip’s hometown.

11. In what year was a Nova Scotia team repre-

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Brier winner at Red Deer.

8. Kevin Martin.

9. Four championships 10. Greg McAulay, Richmond, B.C. 11. 2008 12. Brian Rafuse, Bridgewater.

13. Three wins, eight losses.

14. Alan Darragh.

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We can help.

8. We all know the skip who has won the most games in Canadian men’s championship history. Name the skip who has won the second-most games.

9. How many Canadian championships has he won?

Answers Howard, third for New Brunswick; Richard, skip for British Columbia.

7. Barry Fry skipped the 1979 Brier winner at Ottawa, Russ Howard skipped the 1987 Brier winner at Edmonton and the 1993 Brier winner at Ottawa, Gerry Richard played lead on the 1994

1. Four other skips in the current field either skipped or played for teams that finished runnerup to Canadian junior champions. Name the four.

2. No less than 10 other participants (excluding alternates) in the current Brier field played fror runner-up teams at the Canadian junior championship. Can you name all 10?

3. Half the Canadian

5. Three current Brier competitors are the sons of former Brier winners.

They are?

6. They’re playing what positions for which provinces?

7. Name their fathers and the Briers they won, what and where.

Flemming, Mark Dacey 4. Scott Saunders, Nova Scotia; Grant Odishaw, New Brunswick; Mark Nichols, Newfoundland/Labrador; Terry Odishaw, New Brunswick.

5. Ryan Fry, Steven Howard, Jeff Richard 6. Fry, third for Newfoundland/Labrador;

QUESTION OF THE DAY: One skip in the current Brier field is a former Canadian junior champion. Name him.

mixed champion teams of the past 20 years have hailed from the Atlantic provinces. There have been three two-time winners from Nova Scotia.

Can you name the skips?

4. How about the other four skips and their home provinces?

QofD: Brad Gushue.

1. James Grattan, Jamie Koe, Kevin Koe, Jeff Richard.

2. Chris Anderson, Ryan Fry, Brad Gushue, Jamie Korab, Rob Markowsky, Mark Nichols, Tyler Orme, Carter Rycroft, Nolan Thiessen, Mark Whitehead, 3. Steve Ogden, Paul

Larry Wood Tankard Times Editor

to WIN.

senting a club other than those in Halifax/Dartmouth last participating in the Brier?

12. The team was skipped by who and from where?

13. What was the final record of this Nova Scotia team?

14. Name the four-time Nova Scotia champion skip who played the second position on this team.

FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK...

Page 18

Tankard Times

2010 BRIER CUMULATIVE STATS (through Tuesday’s draws)

Sweep Today’s Country Into Your House!

Skips

Thirds

Name % age Glenn Howard (Ontario) 87 Brad Gushue (Nfld/Labrador) 81 Kevin Koe (Alberta) 80 Jeff Richard (B.C.) 78 Jeff Stoughton (Manitoba) 78 Brad Jacobs (N. Ontario) 77 James Grattan (N.B.) 75 Darrell McKee (Saskatchewan) 74 Rod MacDonald (P.E.I.) 74 Serge Reid (Quebec) 71 Ian Fitzner-LeBlanc (N.S.) 65 Jamie Koe (NWT/Yukon) 61

Name % age Richard Hart (Ontario) 88 Kevin Park (Manitoba) 86 E.J. Harnden (N. Ontario) 85 Blake MacDonald (Alberta) 83 Mark Nichols (Nfld/Labrador) 80 Kevin Champion (P.E.I.) 79 Bruce Korte (Saskatchewan) 78 Steven Howard (N.B.) 78 Stuart MacLean (N.S.) 77 Francois Gionest (Quebec) 76 Tom Shypitka (B.C.) 73 Kevin Whitehead (NWT/Yukon) 73

Seconds

Leads

Name % age Brent Laing (Ontario) 89 Rob Fowler (Manitoba) 86 Carter Rycroft (Alberta) 85 Ryan Harnden (N. Ontario) 84 Ryan Fry (Nfld/Labrador) 84 Roger Korte (Saskatchewan) 82 Jason Vaughan (N.B.) 79 Kent Smith (N.S.) 79 Tyler Orme (B.C.) 78 Simon Collin (Quebec) 78 Mark O’Rourke (P.E.I.) 77 Brad Chorostkowski (NWT/Yukon) 76

Name % age Nolan Thiessen (Alberta) 89 Andrew Robinson (P.E.I.) 89 Steve Gould (Manitoba) 88 Jamie Korab (Nfld/Labrador) 85 Craig Savill (Ontario) 85 Caleb Flaxey (N. Ontario) 83 Martin Gavin (NWT/Yukon) 83 Chris Anderson (B.C.) 82 Phil Crowell (N.S.) 81 Peter Case (N.B.) 80 Rob Markowsky (Saskatchewan) 80 Steeve Villeneuve (Quebec) 78

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

% age 87 85 84 83 82 80

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Province % age Saskatchewan (McKee) 79 British Columbia (Richard) 78 New Brunswick (Grattan) 78 Quebec (Reid) 76 Nova Scotia (Fitzner-LeBlanc) 75 NWT/Yukon (J. Koe) 74

Playoffs

Friday, March 12

Friday, March 12

One draw — 3 p.m.

Two draws — 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Three draws — 10:30 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m. — Page Playoff 1-2 game Saturday, March 13 Noon — Page

Playoff 3-4 game 7:30 p.m. — Semifinal Sunday, March 14 8 p.m. — Championship final

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Page 19

2010 TIM HORTONS BRIER SCHEDULE AND RESULTS

Standings (through Tuesday’s draws)

Today’s Games Draw 12 (10:30 a.m) Saskatchewan vs. B.C. Nfld/Labrador vs. Ontario P.E.I. vs. Nova Scotia Quebec vs. Alberta

Draw 13 (3 p.m.)

Nova Scotia vs. Northern Ontario New Brunswick vs. Alberta B.C. vs. Territories Nfld/Labrador vs. Manitoba

Draw 9 Results

Draw 14 (7:30 p.m.)

Manitoba vs. Ontario Territories vs. Saskatchewan New Brunswick vs. Quebec P.E.I. vs. Northern Ontario

Team Ontario Nfld/Labrador Alberta N. Ontario Manitoba Quebec B.C. Saskatchewan New Brunswick P.E.I. NWT/Yukon Nova Scotia

Draw 10 Results 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 T 1 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 1 8 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 7 Lead Second Third Skip Team 89 90 83 77 85 91 83 86 76 84

W 7 6 5 5 5 5 2 2 2 1 1 1

L 0 1 2 2 2 2 5 5 5 6 6 6

Draw 11 Results

NWT/Yukon Manitoba* %age NWT/Yukon Manitoba

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 x x 3 2 1 0 2 0 1 0 4 x x 10 Lead Second Third Skip Team 83 61 75 55 68 84 94 94 94 91

Quebec* P.E.I. %age Quebec P.E.I.

Saskatchewan* Quebec %age Saskatchewan Quebec

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 x x x 2 0 2 1 0 0 2 5 x x x 10 Lead Second Third Skip Team 75 66 80 54 69 96 75 79 70 80

Alberta Nova Scotia* %age Alberta Nova Scotia

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T 0 0 0 2 0 2 3 1 0 x 8 3 2 0 0 6 0 0 0 2 x 13 Lead Second Third Skip Team 100 74 74 74 80 75 75 92 76 80

N. Ontario* B.C. %age N. Ontario B.C.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T 1 0 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 x 7 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 x 3 Lead Second Third Skip Team 91 86 94 72 86 83 68 65 74 73

N. Ontario* New Brunswick %age N. Ontario New Brunswick

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T 0 2 0 3 0 1 0 1 x x 7 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 x x 2 Lead Second Third Skip Team 90 73 95 92 88 91 91 75 75 83

Ontario Saskatchewan* %age Ontario Saskatchewan

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T 0 2 3 0 1 0 0 3 x x 9 1 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 x x 5 Lead Second Third Skip Team 86 93 85 85 87 81 83 76 75 79

Manitoba Alberta %age Manitoba Alberta

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 x x 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 x x 7 Lead Second Third Skip Team 81/63 86 81 72 79 78 83 89 90 85

Ontario* P.E.I. %age Ontario P.E.I.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T 3 2 2 0 0 1 0 x x x 8 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 x x x 2 Lead Second Third Skip Team 94/79 94/92 91 93 91 75 48 57 48 57

B.C. Nfld/Labrador* %age B.C. Nfld/Labrador

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 x 5 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 x 7 Lead Second Third Skip Team 91 79 79 79 82 83 84 78 87 83

Nova Scotia* NWT/Yukon %age Nova Scotia NWT/Yukon

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 x x 2 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 2 x x 7 Lead Second Third Skip Team 75 78 80 64 74 77 80 67 81 76

* —started game with the hammer

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T New Brunswick* 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 x x 3 Nfld/Labrador 0 1 0 1 5 0 0 1 x x 8 %age Lead Second Third Skip Team New Brunswick 69 75 64 73 70 Nfld/Labrador 77 89 89 78 83

Page 20

Tankard Times

ROAD TO THE TIM HORTONS BRIER

Gushue wins another Rock ruckus Tankard Times staff

N

o one on The Rock has yet to figure out a way to wrestle away a Brier trip from Brad Gushue and Co. Over the span of the last eight years, Gushue has missed the Newfoundland men’s curling title only once — and that’s because his team was too busy at the Torino Olympics and failed to compete at the provincial level.

The 29-year-old Gushue still is looking for his first Brier title, and only the second in the history of Newfoundland/Labrador

participation, but his past record isn’t too shoddy.

Since 2002, Gushue has compiled a won-lost record of 44-27 at the Brier, never finishing with more losses than wins. That includes a runner-up finish in 2007.

NEWFOUNDLAND/ LABRADOR So the recent provincial battle at his home Bally Haly icehouse was noth-

ing of the ordinary for Gushue. With Mark Nichols, Ryan Fry and Jamie Korab operating in front, the former world junior champion skip notched an 8-1 record in the nineteam round robin and clobbered veteran Alex Smith of St. John’s 8-2 in a final match that wound up prior to completion of the seventh end.

Gushue’s only blemish was an 8-7, extra-end loss to Matt Blandford of St. John’s in the fifth round.

Otherwise it was clear sailing.

His 7-1 round-robin log earned him a berth in the final while Smith, who was 6-2, faced Andy Symonds

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

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in the semi-final. Symonds out-duelled Blandford 9-3 in a tiebreaker involving 5-3 finishers but was disposed of by Smith 10-5 in the semi.

Gushue hit for an opening deuce in the final, took two more for a 4-1 lead after three, then cracked three in the sixth after an exchange of singles to wrap it up against Smith.

Finishing behind Smith (7-3), Symonds (6-4) and Blandford (5-4), all of St. John’s, were teams skipped by Keith Ryan of Labrador City and Ken Peddigrew of St. John’s at 4-4, and John Wheeler and Dean Branton of St. John’s at 2-6.

Clear sailing back home for Gushue and Co.