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

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

6fixin a

with a

?

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

Kevin Koe’sWild Rose

gang searchesfor its mojo

Tuesdayafternoon

in a strange13-8 loss

to Nova Scotia.

Larry WoodTankard Times Editor

Suddenly, but not surprisingly, it’s box cars at the Tim

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

With four games re-maining for each of the 12 teams in the Brier round robin starting today at the Metro Centre, the fi eld 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 re-duced 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 champion-ship on Tuesday afternoon in the fi fth end.

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

Kent Smith and Phil Crowell had to hang on by its fi ngernails to fi nally 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 fi nd 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.

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 On-tario (1987), Larry Pineau of Northern Ontario (1987), Al Delmage of the Territo-ries vs. Alberta (1987), and Ed Lukowich of Alberta vs. Newfoundland (1984) posting the big ends.

Current Island lead An-drew Robinson skipped P.E.I. to the only seven-ender in recent Brier his-tory 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 fi rst 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 fi rst 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 surpris-ingly 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 second-place Brad Gushue of Newfoundland/Labrador (6-and-1) by one game.

Please see SIX,Page 15

Page 2 Tankard Times

Six of one, anda half-dozen of . . .

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.

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

Page 3Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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HOUSE WORK: At left, Quebec, led by Serge Reid, right, won twice on Tuesday to shoot up to a surprising 5-2 record. Above, Brad Gushue’s squad from the Rock is just a game back ofpacesetting Ontario, sitting with a 6-1 logbook.

Page 4 Tankard Times

Rock Solid COVERAGE

Proud sponsor of the 2010 Tim Hortons Brier

For complete coverage of the

2010 Tim Hortons Brier, read sports reporter

Monty Mosher’s stories daily.

Funny thing about curl-ing. Old saws keep resurfacing. Tall fore-

heads in back rooms think changes are necessary and when those changes are shot down the fi rst time, the mo-dus 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 grow-ing the game, though, the proposal of adding a defend-ing champion (Team Canada) to future Brier fi elds 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 fi ve 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 stand-point, 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 com-mercials. 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 fi lled the place every time they were playing. Right now the place doesn’t feel that full, and there’s a post-Olympic 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 percep-tion 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 in-troduced 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 Mani-toba, as well as the home crowd, plus anybody else in the country who wants to go there to watch Jennifer play.

“There always are four names you know at the Brier that are great, but we’re re-turning to the haves and have-nots 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 travel-ling. 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 pres-sure 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 fi nally 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 benefi ts the game from a marketing point of view. The host committee has somebody to promote.”

Please see WOOD,Page 15

LARRY WOODTankard Times Editor

Jones waves the flagon ‘Canada’ concept

“A men’s TeamCanada would help thne Brier just as it has helped the women”

Colleen Jones, who skippedfive Team Canada

entries at the Scotties

Page 5Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Skip: SergeReid

Home: Jonquiere, P.Q.Began curling at age: 16Delivery: RightOccupation/title: Chef de Divi-sion Relations de travailEmployer: Ville de SaguenayDate of birth: August 19, 1963Place of birth: JonquiereMarital status: MarriedSpouse/partner: Kathleen McGrathChildren: Jean-Philippe (17), Samuels (15)Favourite food: LobsterFavourite drink: Red wineCelebrity dream woman: Halle BerryMost annoying celebrity: Carey PriceAll-time favourite movie: AvatarLast movie he loved: AvatarLast movie he hated: GamerTattooed? NoNever leaves home without: ToothbrushTen ends or eight? 10 endsTiebreakers or no tiebreak-ers? TiebreakersExtra ends or no extra ends? Extra endsCompeted in: This is his first national championship

Third: FrancoisGionest

Home: Alma, P.Q.Began curling at age: 15Delivery: RightOccupation/title: ResearchEmployer: Universite du Que-bec, ChicoutimiDate of birth: April 13, 1973Place of birth: Roberval, P.Q.Marital status: Common-lawSpouse/partner: Nathalie GagnonChildren: Anne-Sophie (5), Laetitia (2)Favourite food: SeafoodFavourite drink: Soft drink

Celebrity dream woman: RihannaAll-time favourite movie: Rocky IVLast movie he loved: Dede a travers les brunesLast movie he hated: NoneTattooed? NoNever leaves home without: Water bottleTen ends or eight? Eight endsTiebreakers or no tiebreak-ers? TiebreakersExtra ends or no extra ends? Extra endsCompeted in: This is his first national championship

Second: SimonCollin

Home: Roberval, P.Q.Began curling at age: 11Delivery: Right

Occupation/title: Direc-tor

Employer: Maison des jeunes Kiwanis and Vélos Bleus, RobervalDate of birth: July 20, 1976Place of birth: Amos, P.Q.Marital status: RelationshipSpouse/partner: Claudia PittChildren: Tristan (3), Élie (19 months), Vincent (due mid-June, 2010)Favourite food: RibsteakFavourite drink: Coors LiteCelebrity dream woman: FergieMost annoying celebrity: Paris HiltonAll-time favourite movie: Shawshank RedemptionLast movie he loved: Mada-gascar 2Last movie he hated: The ForgottenTattooed? NoNever leaves home without: His keysTen ends or eight? 10 endsTiebreakers or no

tiebreakers? TiebreakersExtra ends or no extra ends? Extra endsCompeted in: 96 Junior Nation-als

Lead: SteeveVilleneuve

Home: ChicoutimiBegan curling at age: 32Delivery: RightOccupation/title: ProprietorEmployer: Remise Du FjordDate of birth: January 10, 1962Place of birth: ChicoutimiMarital status: MarriedSpouse/partner: DominiqueChildren: Marie-Pier (20), Simon (18), Jeremy (15)Favourite food: SteakFavourite drink: BeerCelebrity dream woman: Jen-nifer AnistonAll-time favourite movie: Avatar

Last movie he loved: Avatar

Last movie he hated: BlindeTattooed? NoNever leaves home with-out: Cell-phoneTen ends or eight? Eight endsTiebreakers or no tie-

breakers? Tiebreak-

ers

Extra ends or no extra ends? Extra endsCompeted in: This is his first national championship

Fifth: PierreCharette

Home: Gatineau, P.Q.Began curling at age: 26Delivery: RightOccupation/title: Golf pro, gen-eral managerEmployer: Tecumseh Golf ClubDate of birth: June 23, 1955Place of birth: Masson, P.Q.Marital status: MarriedSpouse/partner: France Cha-retteChildren: Duff (29), Kim (26)Favourite food: SalmonFavourite drink: Red wineCelebrity dream woman: Sha-nia TwainMost annoying celebrity: Gary BettmanFavourite movie: The StingLast movie he loved: AvatarTattooed? NoNever leaves home without: BlackBerryTen ends or eight? Eight endsTiebreakers or no tiebreak-ers? Absolutely tiebreakersExtra ends or no extra ends? Absolutely extra endsCompeted in: 89-93-96-97-98-98-07 Briers, 86, 92 National Mixed

Coach: PaulGagnon

Home: Alma, P.Q.Occupation/title: IcemakerEmployer: Club Curling River-bendDate of birth: Dec. 26, 1942Place of birth: Alma, P.Q.Coached/player: First-time Brier coach

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

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Francois Gionest, left,and Simon Collin

Page 6 Tankard Times

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Howard reunion tour lands in Halifax

They should make it a separate promo-tion. Maybe give

fans those eye-holes-punched-out pictures of Glenn, Russ and Steven on a stick to put in front of their faces while they watch the game.

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

Brunswick’s James Grat-tan this year instead of a part-time rotate-in-and-out-of-the-lineup lead with the Old Man.

And Russ? He was up in the colour commenta-tor’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

special day in Canadian sport as Old Yeller, the now 54-year-old Olym-pic gold-medal winner who put “Hurry Hard!” into curling vocabulary, combined with his now

25-year-old son Steve play-ing 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 play-ing 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 cham-pionships.

Please see JONES,Page 15

TERRY JONESSun Media Columnist

Brier veteran Glenn Howard, left, and nephew Steven.

Page 7Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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Spinach & Cheese CannelloniCannelloni aux épinards et au fromageSociable gang

storms MaritimesMeg WallaceFor the Tankard Times

All 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 fl ag bearer mak-ing 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 Sec-tion 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 outfi ts (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 be-cause of their outstanding “SOCIABLE” letters!

What brought them here? Basically, the experience of the fi nal 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 Woynar-ski, 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 Vancou-vedr so he was there to greet fi ve of the group as they fl ew to Vancouver and boarded a VIA Rail train for the fi ve-and-a-half-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.

Page 8 Tankard Times

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Please visit www.amarula.com to learn more. Amarula is a rare find. Appreciate it accordingly.

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STEELE FORD IS THE OFFICIAL VEHICLE SUPPLIER OF THE 2010 TIM HORTONS BRIERSTSTEEEELELE FFORORDD ISSTEELE FORD IS

Here’s a Unique Opportunity to owna part of the 2010Tim Hortons Brier!Steele Ford, the Offi cial 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 Souvenir Pins!

Hurry in to Steele Ford and secure yourown part of the 2010 Tim Hortons Brierwhile they last!

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Photography:Michael Burns, Jr.

Associate Editor:Todd Kimberley

Editor:Larry Wood

1949: The fi nal 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 fi rst triple winner.

1951: Nova Scotia, skipped by Don Oyler,

posted a 13-7 victory in the morning draw over Manitoba at the new Dalhousie Memo-rial Rink to clinch the province’s fi rst 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 disap-point, beating British Co-lumbia 8-6, to fi nish 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 defi cit after eight ends, as three misses in the ninth end handed Alberta a four-ender. On-tario skip Tom Caldwell

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 fi nal 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 wither-ing 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

THIS DATE IN BRIER HISTORY

Stoughton steals 25th title

for ’Tobans

ALEXROBERTS

Tankard Times Columnist

Page 9Wednesday, March 10, 2010

your guide to what’s goin’ on

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

GO

OD TIMES BREWIN’ SINCE

198

2 on stage

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.

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).

Revved Up for One More Lap

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

Page 10 The Party Line • Your guide to what’s goin’ on

Maritime “Flags” SendSignalsSignal 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.

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.

(See the answers on page 12)

F

M N O

P

A B C

D E

Q R

Y

L

T U

V W

G H I

J K

X

S

Z

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.

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.

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.

Bell Aliant School Program Looks to the Future of the Game

Picture Perfect

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.

Email pictures to: partylinepics@curling.ca

(Please note: Cameraphone images may not be of suitable quality to reproduce.)

Page 11Wednesday, March 10, 2010

It’s Simply

A Coast-to-Coast ConversationToday – 6:30 pmThe 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.

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.

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.

Half Way Home for Cool Curling Qualifiers

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!

Presented by:

Page 12

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:

• 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

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 HalifaxBrianne Nicholl • CFB Halifax

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Today 2 pm Ontario 6:30 pm Nova Scotia

Thursday, March 11 2 pm Alberta & Newfoundland/ Labrador 6:30 pm New Brunswick

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

The NiftyFifty 50

$55,377Won... and Still Counting!

50/50 Winners

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

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

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

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

Page 13Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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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 MacDon-ald, raising his broom into the air instead of collaps-ing 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 defl ated hot air balloon as his mother learned over beside the boards and tried to con-sole him.

Three years ago in Dray-ton 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 fi rst 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.

“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

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,

last playing with Martin in 2006. Lead Nolan Thies-sen is a Brier rookie.

Ferbey and his legend-ary crew that won the last

Halifax Brier with a 13-0 record lost 10-8 to Koe in the A fi nal of the triple-knockout draw.

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

Koe clubbed Ferbey 10-6 in the A-B fi nal and moved directly to the championship game. Ferbey rebounded to oust Ted Appelman of Edmon-ton 6-4 in the semi-fi nal before coming a-cropper of Koe a third time in the fi nal match.

Koe required only fi ve straight wins to capture the Alberta title.

ALBERTA

Koe crew upsets Alberta’s applecartROAD TO THE TIM HORTONS BRIER

No Martin or Ferbey? Kevin Koe’s the man.

Page 14 Tankard Times

Cheering hard in Halifax.

From Our House to Yours

Official Wine Supplier of the 2010 Tim Hortons Brier

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 curl-ing over 90 per cent.

1991: Saskatchewan’s Randy Woytowich - a cashspiel veteran and former national mixed champion but a Brier rookie - fi nished the round robin in fi rst place with an 8-3 record, tied with Al-berta’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 fi nal 8-7 in an extra end over the round-robin

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.

2003: Randy Ferbey’s Edmonton team defeated Nova Scotia’s Mark Dacey 8- 4 in the Nokia Brier fi nal. 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, broth-ers Donald Campbell of British Columbia and Gord Campbell of On-tario competed against one another at the men’s championship in Quebec City. Glenn Howard beat Russ Howard 7-2.

(Alex Roberts isa freelance writerbased in Halifax)

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!

From Page 8

ROBERTS

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

“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, re-ally. 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 fi re so many times now.

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

Page 15Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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.

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 tradi-tion 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 per-centage and you can figure out he belongs. I talked to James Grat-tan 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 leav-ing 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.”

From Page 6 From Page 4

JONES WOODHoward and Gushue

met in the 2007 Brier fi nal 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 also-rans, 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 Que-bec 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 mea-sure of B.C. 7-5.

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

From Page 2

SIX

Page 16 Tankard Times

Skip: Kevin KoeHome: Grande PrairieBegan curling at age: 13Delivery: RightOccupation/title: Surface LandmanEmployer: Talisman EnergyDate of birth: January 11, 1975Place of birth: EdmontonMarital status: MarriedSpouse/partner: CarlaChildren: Ava (4), Lila (2)Favourite food: SeafoodFavourite drink: Coors LightCelebrity dream woman: Kate BeckinsaleMost annoying celebrity: Jamie KoeAll-time favourite movie: Shawshank RedemptionLast movie he loved: The HangoverLast movie he hated: NoneTattooed? NoNever leaves home without: Lip balmTen ends or eight? Eight endsTiebreakers or no tiebreak-ers? TiebreakersExtra ends or no extra ends? Extra endsCompeted in: 94 Junior Nation-als, 00 Mixed Nationals, 09 O-trials

Third: BlakeMacDonald

Home: St. AlbertBegan curling at age: 12Delivery: Smooth and silky (right) Occupation/title: Investment bankerEmployer: Franvest Capital PartnersDate of birth: April 10, 1976Place of birth: Cold LakeMarital status: MarriedSpouse/partner: Lawnie Mac-DonaldChildren: Spencer (6), Bronwyn (3)Favourite food: Steak and king crab

Favourite drink: Red wine (old and expensive)Celebrity dream woman: Oprah ($$$$$$$$$$$$$$$)Most annoying celebrity: Ben MulroneyAll-time favourite movie: Shawshank RedemptionLast movie he loved: Super-badLast movie he hated: G Force 9Tattooed? Yes, armbandNever leaves home without: His armbandTen ends or eight? Eight (I’m too old for 10 any more)Tiebreakers or no tie-breakers? The least number of tiebreak-ers possible (More time for the Patch!)Extra ends or no extra ends? No extra ends; the leads on each team should wrestle for it.

Competed in: 95 Junior Nation-als, 99 Brier, 97 and 09 O-trials

Second: CarterRycroft

Home: Sherwood ParkBegan curling at age: 10Delivery: RightOccupation/title: Owner

Employer: Prairie West Ven-turesDate of birth: August 29, 1977Place of birth: Grande PrairieMarital status: YesSpouse/partner: SheilaChildren: Jayden (14), Leah (5)Favourite food: Steak and crab

Favourite drink: Red wine

Celeb-rity dream woman: Carrie UnderwoodMost annoying celebrity: NoneAll-time favourite movie: TombstoneLast movie he loved: TakenTattooed? NoNever leaves home without: Cellphone

Ten ends or eight? EightTiebreakers or no tiebreak-ers? TiebreakersExtra ends or no extra ends? Extra endsCompeted in: 98 Junior Nation-als, 00, 06 Briers, 01, 05, 09 O-trials, 02 Olympic Games

Lead: NolanThiessen

Home: EdmontonBegan curling at age: 11Delivery: RightOccupation/title: Chartered accountantEmployer: Ernst & Young

Date of birth: November 6, 1980Place of birth: Pilot

Mound, Man.Marital sta-

tus: Girl-friend

Spouse/partner: ChristineChildren: NoneFavourite food: Pizza, steakFavourite drink: Gibson’s rye, chocolate miilkCelebrity dream woman: Marissa MillerMost annoying celebrity: Ben HebertAll-time favourite movie: The Godfather, Parts I&IILast movie he loved: Inglouri-ous Basterds

Last movie he hated: New York I Love YouTattooed? Yes, one.Never leaves home without: Clothes, cellphoneTen ends or eight? Eight endsTiebreakers or no tiebreak-ers? TiebreakersExtra ends or no extra ends? Extra endsCompeted in: 01 Junior Nation-als, 09 O-trials.

Fifth: Jamie KingHome: EdmontonBegan curling at age: 13Delivery: RightOccupation/title: Commercial credit managerEmployer: TD BankDate of birth: Nov. 21, 1973Place of birth: EdmontonMarital status: MarriedSpouse/partner: MarieChildren: NoneFavourite food: LobsterFavourite drink: Rye and CokeCelebrity dream woman: Kate HudsonMost annoying celebrity: Kanye WestAll-time favourite movie: Cad-dyshackLast movie he loved: The WrestlerNever leaves home without: Pack of HallsTen ends or eight? EightTiebreakers or no tiebreak-

ers? TiebreakersExtra ends or no extra ends? Extra endsCompeted in: 2009 O-Trials

Coach: John DunnOccupation/title: Sport psy-chology consultant; university professorEmployer: University of AlbertaDate of birth: April 11, 1967, Bellshill, ScotlandCoached/player: Canadian men’s and women’s biathlon teams, Canadian men’s alpine ski team

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

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

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All-time favourite movie:Shawshank RedemptionLast movie he loved: Super-badLast movie he hated: G Force 9Tattooed? Yes, armbandNever leaves home without: His armbandTen ends or eight? Eight (I’m too old for 10 any more)Tiebreakers or no tie-breakers? The least number of tiebreak-ers possible (More time for the Patch!)Extra ends or no extra ends? No extra ends;the leads on eachteam should wrestle for it.

Competed in: 95 Junior Nation-als, 99 Brier, 97 and 09 O-trials

Children: Jayden (14), Leah (5)Favourite food: Steak and crab

Favourite drink: Red wine

Celeb-rity dreamwoman: Carrie Underwood

als, 00, 06 Briers, 01, 05, 09 O-trials, 02 Olympic Games

Lead: NolanThiessen

Home: EdmontonBegan curling at age: 11Delivery: RightOccupation/title: CharteredaccountantEmployer: Ernst & Young

Date of birth: November 6, 1980Place of birth: Pilot

Mound, Man.Marital sta-

tus: Girl-friend

Spouse/partner: ChristineChildren: NoneFavourite food: Pizza, steakFavourite drink: Gibson’s rye, chocolate miilk

Tiebrers? ExtraExtraComals, 0

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Page 17Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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FOR THOSEABOUT TOROCK...

mixed champion teams of the past 20 years have hailed from the Atlantic provinces. There have been three two-time win-ners from Nova Scotia. Can you name the skips?4. How about the other four skips and their home provinces?

5. Three current Brier competitors are the sons of former Brier winners. They are?6. They’re playing what positions for which prov-inces?7. Name their fathers and the Briers they won, what and where.

8. We all know the skip who has won the most games in Canadian men’s championship his-tory. Name the skip who has won the second-most games.9. How many Canadian championships has he won?

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-

senting a club other than those in Halifax/Dart-mouth 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 sec-ond position on this team.

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

Flemming, Mark Dacey4. Scott Saunders, Nova Scotia; Grant Odishaw, New Bruns-wick; Mark Nichols, Newfoundland/Labra-dor; Terry Odishaw, New Brunswick.5. Ryan Fry, Steven Howard, Jeff Richard6. Fry, third for New-foundland/Labrador;

Howard, third for New Brunswick; Richard, skip for British Colum-bia.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

Brier winner at Red Deer.8. Kevin Martin.9. Four championships10. Greg McAulay, Rich-mond, B.C.11. 200812. Brian Rafuse, Bridgewater.13. Three wins, eight losses.14. Alan Darragh.

Larry WoodTankard Times Editor

QUESTION OF THE DAY: One skip in the cur-rent Brier field is a former Canadian junior cham-pion. Name him.

1. Four other skips in the current field either skipped or played for teams that finished runnerup to Canadian junior champi-ons. 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 cham-pionship. Can you name all 10?3. Half the Canadian

Time out for Tim Hortons Brier trivia

Answers

Page 18 Tankard Times

Proud sponsor of the 2010 Tim Hortons

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2010 BRIER CUMULATIVE STATS

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

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

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

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

TeamsProvince % ageOntario (Howard) 87Alberta (K. Koe) 85Manitoba (Stoughton) 84Nfl d/Labrador (Gushue) 83N. Ontario (Jacobs) 82P.E.I. (MacDonald) 80

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

(through Tuesday’s draws)

Tiebreakers PlayoffsFriday, 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.

Friday, March 12

7:30 p.m. — Page Playoff 1-2 game

Saturday,March 13

Noon — Page

Playoff 3-4 game7:30 p.m. — Semifi nal

Sunday,March 14

8 p.m. — Champi-onship fi nal

Page 19Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Standings(through Tuesday’s

draws)

Team W LOntario 7 0Nfl d/Labrador 6 1Alberta 5 2N. Ontario 5 2Manitoba 5 2Quebec 5 2B.C. 2 5Saskatchewan 2 5New Brunswick 2 5P.E.I. 1 6NWT/Yukon 1 6Nova Scotia 1 6

Draw 9 Results 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TNWT/Yukon 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 x x 3Manitoba* 2 1 0 2 0 1 0 4 x x 10%age Lead Second Third Skip TeamNWT/Yukon 83 61 75 55 68Manitoba 84 94 94 94 91

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TSaskatchewan* 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 x x x 2Quebec 0 2 1 0 0 2 5 x x x 10%age Lead Second Third Skip TeamSaskatchewan 75 66 80 54 69Quebec 96 75 79 70 80

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TN. Ontario* 0 2 0 3 0 1 0 1 x x 7New Brunswick 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 x x 2%age Lead Second Third Skip TeamN. Ontario 90 73 95 92 88New Brunswick 91 91 75 75 83

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TOntario* 3 2 2 0 0 1 0 x x x 8P.E.I. 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 x x x 2%age Lead Second Third Skip TeamOntario 94/79 94/92 91 93 91P.E.I. 75 48 57 48 57

Draw 10 Results 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 TQuebec* 1 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 1 8P.E.I. 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 7%age Lead Second Third Skip TeamQuebec 89 90 83 77 85P.E.I. 91 83 86 76 84

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TAlberta 0 0 0 2 0 2 3 1 0 x 8Nova Scotia* 3 2 0 0 6 0 0 0 2 x 13%age Lead Second Third Skip TeamAlberta 100 74 74 74 80Nova Scotia 75 75 92 76 80

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TOntario 0 2 3 0 1 0 0 3 x x 9Saskatchewan* 1 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 x x 5%age Lead Second Third Skip TeamOntario 86 93 85 85 87Saskatchewan 81 83 76 75 79

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TB.C. 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 x 5Nfl d/Labrador* 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 x 7%age Lead Second Third Skip TeamB.C. 91 79 79 79 82Nfl d/Labrador 83 84 78 87 83

Draw 11 Results 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TNew Brunswick* 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 x x 3Nfl d/Labrador 0 1 0 1 5 0 0 1 x x 8%age Lead Second Third Skip TeamNew Brunswick 69 75 64 73 70Nfl d/Labrador 77 89 89 78 83

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TN. Ontario* 1 0 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 x 7B.C. 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 x 3%age Lead Second Third Skip TeamN. Ontario 91 86 94 72 86B.C. 83 68 65 74 73

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TManitoba 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 x x 2Alberta 0 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 x x 7%age Lead Second Third Skip TeamManitoba 81/63 86 81 72 79Alberta 78 83 89 90 85

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TNova Scotia* 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 x x 2NWT/Yukon 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 2 x x 7%age Lead Second Third Skip TeamNova Scotia 75 78 80 64 74NWT/Yukon 77 80 67 81 76

* —started game with the hammer

Draw 12 (10:30 a.m)Saskatchewan vs. B.C.Nfl d/Labrador vs. OntarioP.E.I. vs. Nova ScotiaQuebec vs. Alberta

Draw 13 (3 p.m.)Nova Scotia vs. Northern OntarioNew Brunswick vs. AlbertaB.C. vs. TerritoriesNfl d/Labrador vs. Manitoba

Draw 14 (7:30 p.m.)Manitoba vs. OntarioTerritories vs. Saskatch-ewanNew Brunswick vs. QuebecP.E.I. vs. Northern Ontario

Today’s Games

2010 TIM HORTONS BRIER SCHEDULE AND RESULTS

Page 20 Tankard Times

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

Precisely Put.

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

www.JohnDeere.com

Tankard Times staff

No one on The Rock has yet to fi gure 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 fi rst 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 re-cord of 44-27 at the Brier, never fi nishing with more losses than wins. That includes a runner-up fi nish in 2007.

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

ing of the ordinary for Gushue. With Mark Nich-ols, Ryan Fry and Jamie Korab operating in front, the former world junior champion skip notched an 8-1 record in the nine-team round robin and clobbered veteran Alex Smith of St. John’s 8-2 in a fi nal 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 fi fth round. Otherwise it was clear sailing.

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

in the semi-fi nal. Symonds out-duelled Blandford 9-3 in a tiebreaker involv-ing 5-3 fi nishers but was disposed of by Smith 10-5 in the semi.

Gushue hit for an open-ing deuce in the fi nal, 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.

NEWFOUNDLAND/LABRADOR

Gushue wins another Rock ruckusROAD TO THE TIM HORTONS BRIER

Clear sailing back home for Gushue and Co.