mcewen’s killer shot has brier buzzing - curling canada ... · pdf filemcewen’s...

Issue 6 – Thursday, March 9, 2017

THIS ISOURSPORTGET YOUR TICKETS NOW

CURLING.CA/TICKETS

DEC. 2 - 10,

2017CANADIAN TIRE

CENTRE

YOWZA!McEwen’s killer shot

has Brier buzzing

Team Manitoba celebrates after skip Mike McEwen bit the button with his last rock in the 10th end to beat Northern Ontario’s Brad Jacobs in a key game Thursday afternoon. Manitoba later defeated Nova Scotia to maintain its Brier lead with a 7-1 record.

Tim Hortons Brier | Tankard Times | THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2017

By JOHN KOROBANIKTankard Times Associate Editor

The chase is on!It wasn’t always pretty, but Mike McEwen

and his Manitoba foursome posted a pair of victories Wednesday to retain their position

atop the standings at the Tim Hortons Brier.McEwen, vice-skip B.J. Neufeld, second

Matt Wozniak, lead Denni Neufeld and coach Chris Neufeld, had to rally for a win in the afternoon, but had a better time of it in the evening draw where they beat Jamie Murphy of Nova Scotia 9-3. The win improved the record for the Winnipeg foursome to 7-1.

“We tried to start this game a little more simple, to not have so much pressure on us early in the game,” McEwen said after they jumped into a 3-1 lead after three ends.

“I know personally, I’ve been starting to crack a little bit. I haven’t been the nicest skip out there. Feels like we’ve been 10 days and it’s only been five.

“There’s a ton of pressure and we’ve been playing from behind in quite a few situations It was nice to play in the lead again.”

Kevin Koe and Team Canada and Brad Gushue of Newfoundland and Labrador remained right on Manitoba’s heels.

Koe, third Marc Kennedy, second Brent Laing, lead Ben Hebert, alternate Scott Pfeifer and coach John Dunn, scored three in the first and deuces in the third and fifth en route to an 8-6 win over Koe’s younger brother, Jamie of Northwest Territories.

Canada had control, up 7-3 after seven ends, but gave up a deuce to Northwest Territories in eight and a steal in nine.

“In nine we made a mistake on Kev’s last one,” Kennedy said of Koe’s shot that gave away an extra point. “Probably should peel it out, come home up three. We got a little greedy, tried to put it away; we were probably tired. And gave them a steal.”

Gushue, with third Mark Nichols, second Brett Gallant, lead Geoff Walker and coach Jules Owchar, cracked a three-ender in the fourth and went on to beat Jean-Michel Ménard of Quebec 7-3

Manitoba plays Canada in today’s afternoon draw, while Canada plays Newfoundland in the evening.

“It’ll be fun. The place will be rocking all day,” said Kennedy. “We’ll try to put our best together and try to win one out of the two.”

Plenty of teams nipping at Manitoba’s heels

The faces tell the story: Team Canada’s Kevin Koe (above) and Quebec skip Jean-Michel Ménard don’t exactly keep their poker faces on during Wednesday night’s action at the Tim Hortons Brier.

2017 BRIER

The fans went home happy Wednesday after Newfoundland and Labrador won both its games.

Tickets from $22 curling.ca/tickets

2017 BRIER

The Sociable, a group of rabid curling fans from Alberta, are at the Brier all day, every day entertaining fans. They’ve even got new costumes each day.

We’ve heard rumours that school kids have been playing hooky to watch Gushue and Co. But we won’t tell.

Team Ontario fans spend a lot of their days seeing red.


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Spotlight on: N. OntarioCommunity First Curling Centre (Sault Ste. Marie) Coach: Caleb Flaxey

THIRDEs

sent

ials Age: 38

Birthplace: WinnipegResidence: TorontoMarital status: Taken by Jessica SzaboChildren: Dog named KevinEmployment: Account specialist partnerships, Winni-peg Blue BombersStarted curling at age: 6

What is the one thing you wish you could do if given the chance? Body Slam Brad Jacobs

Who’s your hero? Brad Jacobs

If you could see one concert, what would it be? Coldplay (Going in July)

What’s your weird-est habit? My girlfriend wouldn’t want me to share.

What is the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten? Humble Pie

Are you a cat/dog per-son? Dog, cats are will eat

you if you die!Where would you go

if you where invisible? I would stay home and try to find myself in the mirror.

Name one thing you worry about. Getting too old for my young girlfriend.

Favourite accent? Slobeniese spoken by one person named Brad Jacobs

Who was your first crush? Russ Howard

Which is the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do? Say good-bye to all my friends in Newfoundland.

fryryan

SKIP

Esse

ntial

s Age: 31Birthplace: Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.Residence: Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.Marital status: Married to Shawna JacobsChildren: Camille (2), and Cale (8 months)Employment: Business development manager, Com-munity First Curling CentreStarted curling at age: 10

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? My wife and I would probably go to the Maldives and stay in one of those suites over the water.

What is your definition of an incredible weekend? Ryan Harnden’s bachelor party this coming May.

Are you a cat/dog per-son? Dog

Who or what inspires you? My family and losing

Describe your life in one word: Active.

What is the first thing you do when you get up in the morning? Brew that pot of coffee baby!

What is your best physi-cal feature? Used to be my beard but now it’s my hair, so thick I don’t know what to do with it.

Favourite board game? Crokinole

What was the happiest moment in your life? Be-coming a father – twice

Beer or wine? What about liquor? My answer is all three.

jacobsbrad

SECOND

Esse

ntial

s Age: 33 Birthplace: Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. Residence: Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. Marital status: Married to Rachelle Harnden Children: Brooklyn (21 Months) Employment: Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation, Senior Manager, Channel Development Started curling at age: 12

Last book you couldn’t put down: The Power of Now, Eckhard Tolle

What’s your fast-food guilty pleasure? A&W; nothing beats a Teen Burger and onion rings.

Any tattoos? Of what? Yes, I have a tattoo that covers my entire left chest (it took over nine hours to complete). It is an Olympic tattoo that includes the Gold Medal, Olympic rings, So-chi mountain landscape, Maple Meaf and other elements from the Olympics and Sochi.

Describe your life in one word: Fulfilling.

What is the first thing you do when you get up in the morning? Now that I have a little one, I no longer need an alarm clock. I roll out of bed (usually around 6 a.m.), go pick my daughter up out of her crib, I put her on the potty, then we get her some milk and we start the day either by watching a few cartoons or reading a book.

Do you have a special talent? Providing original and lasting nicknames — just ask Cups (aka Brad Jacobs), Pete (aka Ryan Harnden) and Max (aka Ryan Fry).

harndene.j.

LEAD

Esse

ntial

s Age: 30Birthplace: Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.Residence: Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.Marital status: Engaged to Jasmine Gassi (Wedding June 17, 2017)Children: No ChildrenEmployment: Century 21Started curling at age: 4

What would you do if you won the lottery? Not work, build my dream house and buy a vacation home in Barbados.

What’s your fast-food guilty pleasure? Soo Pizza, best pizza in Canada.

If you could meet any-one, who would that be? Tiger Woods.

Any tattoos? Of what? Massive tattoo starting on my chest, up to my shoul-der and 1/4 down my arm, it took 9.5 hours. It’s a

portrait of EJ and I after we won our medals, the gold medal, Olympic rings and Canadian flag.

What is your favourite TV show? Suits, Walking Dead, Frequency (Netflix), Bloodline (Netflix), The OA (Netflix).

What was the happiest moment in your life? Win-ning the 2014 Olympic Gold Medal

Have you changed much since high school? Yup, I have no hair.

harndenryan

FIFTH

Esse

ntial

s Age: 44Birthplace: Grand Falls, NBResidence: Sudbury, Ont.Marital status: Married to Louise LoganChildren: Mia (11), Justine (10), Noah (6)Employment: Emergency physician at Health Scienc-es North Emergency DepartmentStarted curling at age: 13

What is the one thing you wish you could do if given the chance? Dance. I think that I am great but others disagree...

Who’s your hero? Terry Fox — very inspirational.

Last book you couldn’t put down. (Please don’t say The History of Glue). Just read Harry Potter series to kids.

What’s playing on your iPod right now? The Vinyl Cafe. RIP Stuart McLean.

If you could see one concert, what would it be? Bon Jovi!

What’s your favourite vacation destination? Turks and Caicos.

Are you a cat/dog person? Neither — our cat Tic Tac is my nemesis.

What is the first thing you do when you get up in the morn-ing? Make lunches for kids.

What is your favourite TV show? Seinfeld.

If we’re buying, you’re having...? A nice single malt Scotch.

What is the worst job you could have? Politician — that would be tough.

tonerlee

2017 BRIER

Population: 733,000Area: 802,378 sq. kmJoined Confereration: 1905Motto: “Loyal it began and loyal she remains”Capital City: TorontoLanguages: 74% English, 17% French, 9% otherEconomy: Mining, forestry, hydroelectricity.

NORTHERN ONTARIO AT THE BRIERLast five years:2016: Brad Jacobs (11-0 Bronze)2015: Brad Jacobs 10-1 (Silver)2014: Jeff Currie (2-9)2013: Brad Jacobs (8-3 Gold)2012: Brad Jacobs (5-6)Last championship — Brad Jacobs (2013)Canadian titles — 5World titles — 2 (Al Hackner 1982, 1985).Other prominent male curlers from Northern Ontario — Ian Tetley, Rick Lang.

FACTS


NEWFOUNDLANDand LABRADOR

SWEEP IN SOME WINNERS ONSET FOR LIFE

Tylor StewardCarbonear, NL


ISN’T THAT A PARTY!Take a healthy dose of lively east

coast music, throw in St. John’s first Brier in 40 years, add a dash of

success by the hometown boys, mix it all with a beer or two and it’s been one heck of a party in the Patch.

“It’s been exceeding our expectations for this event for sure,” says Ken Lauzon, food and beverage manager for Season of Champions events for Curling Canada.

“We came in with an idea that it would be a popular venue, but it’s beaten that forecast by a good percentage point.”

Excitement had been building for a while in the city and the first chance fans really had to let loose was opening night, last Saturday. And let loose they did.

Why not? Hometown hero Brad Gushue and his Newfoundland and Labrador team won their first game. Shanneyganock was the band in the patch and their fiery brand of east coast music made sure nobody’s feet were still. The Mile One Centre was jammed with about 6,000 fans who dashed across to the Patch, ready to continue the party they had started inside the rink.

“The excitement of that day and Sunday, the opening weekend was incredible,” says Lauzon. “Not just the locals. You could feel it in there with even the visitors who have

come from all across Canada to see St. John’s and to see the Brier in action. The excitement of Brad and what’s happening here, the feel they have for it, I haven’t seen in any other Brier, and this is my fifth one with Curling Canada. It’s a good feeling in this room.”

Nathan Woynarski of Calgary was there Saturday to experience the buzz.

“If there was one day that seemed more exciteing than other Patches, that was the day… the buzz around here was amazing.”

He’s a member of the Sociable, that group of fans who dress differently every day and have been visiting the Brier Patches — day, evening and night — for years.

This is Woynarski’s eighth Brier and he’s been loving the Patch atmosphere.

“They have great bands. Everything is east coast or Newfoundland based, and it’s been great. The fans really get into it.”

The Patch has been so popular, there have been occasions people simply couldn’t get in.

“We’ve met our capacity a few times,” says Lauzon. “We wish it could be bigger, especially the big room to get more people in for the entertainment... we plan at being at capacity on the weekend.”

Curling Canada licensed one whole floor in the convention centre across from the Mile One Centre. The main room holds about 1,800 people, then there’s a large eating room plus a large lobby-like area.

“It’s also a quieter area. Those who don’t want the noise of the party room itself can

go out there,” Lauzon says of the two extra rooms. “There are TV monitors there so they can see the bands and the entertainment, but they don’t have to be a part of the big action.”

Lauzon says the preference is always to have a larger venue, but closeness to the arena where the Brier is being played has to be considered and is an important aspect in the decision on where to locate the Patch.

“We always like a little big bigger, but we’ll take what we can get,” he says. “It’s a brand new building and it’s been great for us. It’s not often we get to work in a nice spot like this, technically.

“Proximity is huge. We find that with every event… if we’re within a short walk, and here you don’t have to go outside, it’s ideal. That helps us generate interest.”

Brier fever has The Patch packed to the rafters

WHAT’S ON STAGETONIGHT — Hillsburn FRIDAY — 8 Track FavouritesSATURDAY — Billy & The Bruisers — The Novaks

2017 BRIER

By JOHN KOROBANIKTandard Times Associate Editor

Ken Lauzon, food and beverage

manager for Season of Champions

events for Curling Canada, is thrilled

with the success of the St. John’s

Brier Patch.


8 TRACK FAVOURITES

MAR

. 10

FOR TOMORROW NIGHT’S PARTY:

FULL SERVICE BUFFET

SCREECHED INMARCH 12 @ 6:30P

& MORE!PIZZA, POUTINE & MANY OTHER FOOD CHOICES

FOR YOU TO ENJOY IN THE PATCH

Get

A band born in Hillsburn, Nova Scotia, treats us to pop/

rock sounds tonight in the Patch. If you like bands like

Bon Jovi and Arcade Fire, you’ll be right at home with

this 5-piece powerhouse.

“Win big! Sign up for the free-to-play Cool Shots tourney — a miniature

version of the roaring game! Cash prizes at stake daily. Compete for

the big prize, bragging rights & the chance to wear the crown in the

Finals. Just think of all the barley nectar!” — Angus McStone

If you’ve “come from away”, make yourself an honourary

Newfoundlander by getting Screeched In. A shot of

screech, a short recitation, and a lovely kiss between

yourself and a cod. Only one chance left to give it a try,

so make sure you sign up at least 24 hours in advance at

The Patch before March 12!

MUSIC, FOOD &BARLEY NECTARTHE PATCHall at

SEE LEGENDSCOOL SHOTSget made with

NEXT DOOR TO MILE ONE CENTRE AT THE ST. JOHN’S CONVENTION CENTRE

HILLSBURN

&


Official tags: #BRIER2017 #AngusMcStoneCurlingCanada

GET SOCIAL!

SPACE TO PLACE YOUR AUTOGRAPHS BELOW!AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS

The feel of the ice, the roar of the game, and the cold, cold barley nectar! We want to hear about all of your stories at this year’s Tim Hortons Brier! Great shots, triumphs or moments of awe — immortalize them into legend. We might just feature yours right here! Join your voice to the roar this week on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

UP CLOSE & PERSONALGet over to the Patch to get up close & personal with very special guest: Brier Bear, and members of team Northwest Territories! Maybe even clink a glass or two

— with possible autograph opportunites to follow. Don’t miss it!

WITH THE

SHOW US HOWYOU LIVE IT LIVE &

YOU COULD BE HERE!

THUR

SDAY

MARC

H 9 BRIER BEAR

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

1:30 P

6:30 P

THURSDAY, MARCH 9 | 6:30 p

TEAM NEW BRUNSWICK

TEAM NEW BRUNSWICK SKIP, MIKE KENNEDY HAS NOW MADE SIX BRIER

APPEARANCES. KENNEDY IS ALSO A FORMER CANADIAN AND WORLD

SENIOR MEN’S CHAMPION!

DID YOU KNOW?!BRIER BEAR SELFIE! ★★

This is your chance to take a selfie with Brier Bear! Join us on Saturday, March 11 at 6 p.m. in the Patch. Add your pic to the album on Twitter using the hashtag #BrierBear!


Flying under the radarCheck today’s standings at the Tim Hortons

Brier and you’ll find Quebec in fifth place, just below the big four elite teams, kind of

in that next level of Canadian curling.Skip Jean-Michel Ménard is a former Brier

champion, and has carried Quebec’s flag to the Brier 10 times, but he admits that’s where he, third Martin Crête, second Éric Sylvain and lead Philippe Ménard, who curl out of Lévis, belong; that they are more of a middle-of-the-pack team.

“Yes, we belong in that one, or the lower tier, we sure don’t belong in the upper tier,” he agrees with a laugh. “That’s where we are. We know we’re a middle-of-the-pack team. We need to find a way to beat the big guys, one out of three or four, and get some breaks to win.”

That’s the reality. That’s just who they are. But they are capable of upsetting the big guns and they do play with a competitive edge that keeps them in most games.

Tuesday was a good example. Quebec won both their games, beating Glenn Howard of Ontario and John Morris of British Columbia — both times in an extra end.

“For us to have even a sniff to win or to make the playoffs we need to play some good curling and get some breaks,” he says. Wednesday morning they had another tight battle with Brendan Bottcher of Alberta before scoring three in the ninth end for an 8-5 win.

Quebec has produced some of Canada’s top individual athletes and are a national power in many winters sports, like all disciplines of skiing and skating, especially speed-skating. But curling? Not since Ménard’s victory in 2006 has Quebec won the Brier. The province’s only other win was Jim Ursel in 1977.

So it’s not a high profile sport, doesn’t get the level of financial support the individual sports do.

“It’s not a well-known sport in the province so it’s tough to get exposure because the sport is not visible enough,” says Ménard. “So it’s like a spinning wheel.

“For winning the provincials, we got a little grant. Not a whole lot, enough to pay entry fee in a few spiels. Not enough to make a living.”

Still, Ménard sees potential for a Quebec resurgence in curling on the national scene.

He’s carried the Quebec flag in the Brier 10 times, including the last five years. But they were almost knocked out of their own provincials after three games this year before they got their game straightened out and got on a roll that carried them to St. John’s.

“So the potential is there. The problem is most of the teams, including us, we don’t travel enough to play against the big boys. I’m pretty sure if a couple of our teams were going out more often we would get, as a group, much better and have better chance of beating the big teams.

“Unfortunately besides us not a whole lot of teams are going out... and we don’t go out much.”

They are a tightly knit team. Ménard and Sylvain have been teammates since their first Brier together in 2005, Crête joined them in 2008 and Phlippe Ménard came on board in 2011.

They are not, however, a stale team that’s lost its edge and just happy to be at the Brier.

“I don’t think so,” says the loud-yelling third. “I think it’s an advantage for us since we play together for so many years we know what to do. We know what kind of shots we like and it’s an advantage for us.”

It also means there’s little pressure on them. They fly under the radar, out the spotlight that shines on the likes of Brad Gushue of Newfoundland and Labrador, Kevin Koe and Team Canada, or Northern Ontario’s Brad Jacobs.

“We come over here, we love playing in the Brier,” says Ménard. “Giving good games to our opponents and if things work out we make the final four we’ll be super happy.”

Quebec can surprise ‘big boys’

Jean-Michel Ménard has carried Quebec’s flag to the Brier 10 times.

By JOHN KOROBANIKTankard Times Associate Editor


Pucker up, Mikey, and ...Before you leave

Newfoundland, there’s something you have to

do: it involves puckering up and kissing a nasty set of lips.

Kissing the cod is part of a rite of passage to becoming an honourary Newfoundlander. The whole thing is called being Screeched-in, a ceremony that’s only one-part fish lips, but three parts Newfoundland.

“First, the people eat some bologna, that’s what we call a Newfie steak,” said John Sheppard, Director of Game Day Activities at the Brier Patch. “In days gone by, it was special to have some bologna because it was imported (and was pricier than lobster, believe it or not). The second thing is kissing the cod. And finally, you have

a shot of Screech and say the recitation: ‘Long may your big jib draw,’ which is to say ‘may there always be wind at your sail!’”

Usually eating bologna would be the weirdest part of a ceremony, but not in Newfoundland.

At the Patch on Tuesday, more than 140 people were Screeched-in on stage. If you missed the fun, you’ll have another chance to partake on Sunday, or you can make your way to Christian’s Bar on George Street, where you’ll have to arrive before 4:30 p.m. for the ceremony at 5 p.m., or before 10:30 p.m. for the ceremony at 11:15 p.m.

And don’t kiss the cod too long, or people will start to ask questions.

2017 BRIER

... kiss the cod!By MICHAEL CONNORSTankard Times Writer

Tankard Times writer Michael Connors gets up close and personal with a cod.


Spotlight on: OntarioSt. George’s Golf & Country Club (Etobicoke) Coach: No coach

THIRDEs

sent

ials Age: 48

Birthplace: TorontoResidence: Pickering, Ont.Marital status: Married to Margaret HartChildren: Joseph (19), David (17), Lauren (14)Employment: Principal at Hart-Well ElectricalStarted curling at age: 13

What is your definition of an incredible weekend? Sunshine? Friends and family.

Are you a cat/dog per-son? Dog person.

What is your favourite breakfast meal? Eggs and bacon.

What is the first thing you do when you get up in the morning? Shower.

What is your favourite TV show? Mad Men.

If we’re buying, you’re having . . . ? Rum, please.

What is one of the things you would put on your “bucket” list? Play Augusta National.

Favourite accent? Italian.

If you could have one super power, what would it be? Fly.

hartrichard

SKIP

Esse

ntial

s Age: 54Birthplace: Midland, Ont.Residence: Tiny Township, Ont.Marital status: Married to Judy Howard Children: Scott (26), Carly (23)Employment: Manger / Public Relations The Beer StoreStarted curling at age: 10

Which sitcom charac-ter do you relate to? Jerry Seinfeld.

If you could see one concert, what would it be? The Beatles.

What’s your biggest pet peeve? Spelling my name with one “n”.

What is your favourite day of the week? Sunday.

Are you a cat/dog per-son? Not much of an animal person. Can handle dogs but despise cats.

What is your favour-

ite breakfast meal? Eggs Benny!

Describe your life in one word: Complete.

Beer or wine? Both. What is your dream car?

Have it — Mustang GT. Favourite accent? Scot-

tish. What’s the hardest thing

you’ve had to do? Bury my father.

What was the happi-est moment in your life? Marrying Judy and have two awesome kids.

howardglenn

SECOND

Esse

ntial

s Age: 25Birthplace: OttawaResidence: OttawaMarital status: Girlfriend – Lynn KreviazukChildren: NoneEmployment: Commercial Insurance Advisor – Cana-da BrokerLinkStarted curling at age:10

What is the one thing you wish you could do if given the chance? Play Augusta National/St. Andrew’s

Who’s your hero? Tiger Woods

What’s playing on your iPod right now? Country

What’s your fast-food guilty pleasure? Wendy’s Classic Double.

What’s your favour-ite vacation destination? Jamaica

If you could meet anyone, who would that be? Tiger

Woods. I want the real story.What is your definition

of an incredible weekend? Golf trip.

What is your favourite TV show? Mayday.

If we’re buying, you’re having . . . ? Steak and a double rye.

Beer or wine? Beer.What is your dream car?

Big Loaded Truck Favourite accent? Jamai-

can, Mon’. Favourite board game?

Risk.

mathersdavid

LEAD

Esse

ntial

s Age: 26Birthplace: Midland, Ont.Residence: Midland, Ont.Marital status: Girlfriend — Kelly StewartChildren: None.Employment: Estimator/ Grade Control- Maacon Construction Ltd.Started curling at age: 6

If you were granted three wishes, what would you ask for? Travel the world, curl with my dad, uncle Russ and cousin Steve at the Brier. Live forever.

What would you do if you won the lottery? Buy a big cottage on Georgian Bay!

What is the one thing you wish you could do if given the chance? Play a round of golf at Augusta with Jack and Arnold.

What’s your biggest pet peeve? Slow drivers.

What’s your fast-food guilty pleasure? McDonalds

Big Mac, best burger out there.What is the strangest

thing you’ve ever eaten? I tried kangroo.

What are the five things you cannot do without? Sleeping, eating, cell phone, sperrys, boating.

What is your favour-ite breakfast meal? Eggs Benedict

What is the one thing you own you wish you didn’t? A snowblower.

Name one thing you worry about. Leaving the oven on after leaving the house.

howardscott

FIFTH

Esse

ntial

s Age: 44Birthplace: Guelph, Ont.Residence: Guelph, Ont.Marital status: Married to Jen SpencerChildren: Names, ages) Hope 9, William 7Employment: Production Manager, The Farley GroupStarted curling at age: 11

What is the one thing you wish you could do if given the chance? Golf at Augusta.

Do you believe that there is life beyond our planet? Yes.

Last book you couldn’t put down. Inferno, Dan Brown.

What’s playing on your iPod right now? U2 – Rattle & Hum.

If you could see one con-cert, what would it be? Led Zeppelin (when they were still touring).

What’s your fast-food guilty pleasure? Wendy’s Bacon Double Cheeseburger.

What’s your favourite

vacation destination? Any-where that makes a good Margherita.

What is the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten? Sweetbreads.

How do you think the world is going to end? In flames or an ice age? Ice age.

What is the first thing you do when you get up in the morning? Turn off my alarm

What is your favourite TV show? Game of Thrones

If we’re buying, you’re having . . . ? Dirty Gin Martini.

Beer or wine? Beer.

spenceradam

2017 BRIER

Population: 13,982,000Area: 1,076,395 sq. kmJoined Confereration: 1905Motto: “Loyal it began and loyal she remains”Capital City: TorontoLanguages Spoken:70 English, 10% French, 20% otherEconomy: Manufacturing, energy, agriculture.

ONTARIO AT THE BRIERLast five years:2016: Glenn Howard (4-7)2015: Mike Keane (5-6)2014: Greg Balsdon (5-6)2013: Glenn Howard (10-1 Bronze)2012: Glenn Howard (10-1 Gold)Last championship — Glenn Howard (2012)Canadian titles — 10World titles — 7 (Ed Wereni- ch 1983, 1990; Russ Howard 1987, 1993, Wayne Middaugh 1998, Glenn Howard 2007, 2012).

FACTS


/cabotford

Official Vehicle Supplierof the 2017 Tim Hortons Brier

Q&A“Halifax in 1995. It was Al Hackner vs. Kerry

Burtnyk, and Burtnyk had to hit a rock, and he flashed it. Everybody was in shock, and Burtnyk had a free draw to win the final. And another thing that year was hanging out with Jim Jerome in the Patch. What a legend!”

Ian McClennanFort Frances, Ont.

“At the 2001 Brier when the sign fell down, and Guy Hemmings came out with a hockey helmet on. That’s the same guy that, when the power went off at the Brier in Winnipeg, changed the score because he was losing, so when the lights came back on it showed that he was winning.”

Steve KosowickFort Frances, Ont.

“It was at the 1972 Brier, and is the memory of my grandmother-in-law. At that time you could smoke in the stadium, and she had a beautiful Afghan blanket around her legs to keep the heat in. And when we looked down, the edge of the Afghan was on fire. I had to jump on the thing to put it out. ”

Judy DurantCarbon Ear, NL

“This one! It’s my first one. I’ve seen ’em on TV, but you’ve really got to experience it live to get the whole experience. It’s been great meeting people from across Canada.”

Brian KrauskopfNorth Bay, Ont.

“My first Brier in 1996, in Kamloops. There was this guy I met, and by his accent I thought he was General Sherman. It was Perry Fleet from Halifax, and he’s the most wonderful man I’ve ever met at a Brier. He said ‘come out East, you’ll have a good time.’ I’ve been to Halifax three times to see Perry and take in the Brier.”

Roger KesslerRevelstoke, BC

“In 1987 in Edmonton, our Newfoundland team won the bronze medal. It was in a smaller venue, very fun. I like that one because our boys came through. I never dreamed it!”

Kevin PardySt. John’s, NL

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‘Indescribable’

Darren Moulding has curled in the shadows most of his life so when he found himself under the intense glare of the Tim Hortons Brier spotlight it

was an overwhelming experience.It was the most penetrating of spotlights because he

and his Team Alberta teammates were playing hometown hero Brad Gushue on opening night, in front of 6,000 screaming fans.

“I think it was good in a way, just to get the whole experience right off the bat,” the 34-year-old Alberta third says. “It kind of sped up our learning curve a bit, which I enjoyed.

“The first few games it was overwhelming. It’s not the on-ice, it’s all the demands off the ice, all the attention, which I’m unfamiliar with. I know a lot of these guys here are familiar with it and I’m becoming more comfortable.

“I’ve always kind of been the guy that I play, and basically have played in obscurity my entire life so it’s a little different. I think only by playing in the Brier can you ever know what it feels like.”

Moulding won the 2014 Canadian mixed title as Alberta skip and skipped at two national junior championships, finishing second in 2003. For several years, he was on and off different teams, some as skip, others as third, but found little success — until this January, when Brendan Bottcher asked him to join his team after Pat Simmons left because of injury. They made the quarter-finals of the Meridian Canadian Open and then won the Alberta Tankard, earning Moulding his

first trip to the Brier. It’s been an eye-opening experience for the Lethbridge curling club icemaker and independent business owner.

“When you look around you see all the fans and the noise and the lights and there’s sensory overload a little bit. For the first few games it was getting comfortable and figuring out how to survive here. But I do feel like we’re getting comfortable, we’re starting to feel at home out there.

“It’s more than I expected, and that’s a pretty big thing to say just because my entire life I’ve thought about it. I’ve watched Briers in Calgary and that kind of things but when you’re a player and you look around the feeling is indescribable.”

Team Alberta stumbled out of the gate, losing their first three games and four of their first five. They appeared to have found their stride on Tuesday, but ran into a couple of wily old veterans Wednesday, losing games to Jean-Michel Menard Quebec and Glenn Howard of Ontario.

They are, however, definitely not throwing in the towel.

“This team is never going to quit,” said Moulding, whose sister Heather Jensen won the 50-50 draw Tuesday night. “The boys are very competitive. We could be 0-9 and we’re still going to go out to try to win. Everybody on the team is extremely competitive.

“We show it in different ways but we’re all very fiery and we have a lot of pride in wearing the blue and gold and the traditions and what it means to represent Alberta.”

Brier rookie living the dream By JOHN KOROBANIKTankard Times Associate Editor

Alberta third Darren Moulding was initially a bit overwhelmed by the whole Brier experience.


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BRIER SCOREBOARDLINESCORES

WEDNESDAYDraw 11, 10 a.m.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Total Quebec (Ménard) *1 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 3 x — 8Alberta (Bottcher) 0 0 1 0 2 0 2 0 0 x — 5

NWT (J. Koe) 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 x x — 1B.C. (Morris) *2 0 1 3 1 0 1 1 x x — 9

Nova Scotia (Murphy) 0 0 0 3 1 0 1 0 2 0 — 7Saskatchewan (Casey) *0 1 3 0 0 2 0 1 0 1 — 8

N. Ontario (Howard) 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 — 6New Brunswick (Kennedy) *1 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 — 5

Draw 12, 3 p.m.

N. Ontario (Jacobs) *2 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 — 5Manitoba (McEwen) 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 2 — 6

Alberta (Bottcher) 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 x — 3 Ontario (Howard) *0 0 1 1 1 0 2 1 0 x — 6

B.C. (Morris) 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 — 4NL (Gushue) *1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 — 5

Canada (K. Koe) *2 0 1 0 2 1 0 2 0 0 — 8Saskatchewan (Casey) 0 1 0 1 0 0 2 0 2 1 — 7

Draw 13, 8 p.m.

NYT (J. Koe) 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 — 6Canada (K. Koe) *3 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 — 8

Nova Scotia (Murphy) 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 x — 3 Manitoba (McEwen) *1 0 2 0 0 0 2 1 3 x — 9

Ontario (Howard) *1 0 2 0 3 0 0 0 2 0 — 8New Brunswick (Kennedy) 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 — 6

NL (Gushue) 0 1 0 3 0 0 1 0 2 x — 7Quebec (Ménard) *1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 x — 3

* — Last rock

SCHEDULETODAY

10 a.m. Draw 14A — NB vs. NS; B — SK vs. NO; C — NT vs. QC; D — AB vs. BC

3 p.m. Draw 15A — ON vs. NL; B — QC vs. NB; C — MS vs. CA; D — NT vs. NS

8 p.m. Draw 16A — BC vs. SK; B — NL vs. CA; C — AB vs. NO; D — MB vs. ON

STANDINGS W LM a n i t o b a ( M c E w e n ) 7 1 N L ( G u s h u e ) 6 2 C a n a d a ( K . K o e ) 6 2N . O n t a r i o ( J a c o b s ) 6 3Q u e b e c ( M é n a r d ) 5 3B . C . ( M o r r i s ) 5 4S a s k a t c h e w a n ( C a s e y ) 5 4O n t a r i o ( H o w a r d ) 3 5A l b e r t a ( B o t t c h e r ) 3 6N o v a S c o t i a ( M u r p h y ) 2 6N e w B r u n s w i c k ( K e n n e d y ) 1 7N W T ( J . K o e ) 1 7

Team New Brunswick skip Mike Kennedy is having a tough time at the Brier, with a 1-7 record.


Saskatchewan coach Pat Simmons (inset) says skip Adam Casey and his Regina team are starting to peak.

Brier drought a bafflerIt would be the irony of ironies if Adam Casey, an

import from Prince Edward Island, was the man to lead Saskatchewan out of the wilderness at the Tim

Hortons Brier.Casey is 5-4 heading into the stretch run of the Brier, and

still has plenty of work to do, but at least he has a shot, and at this point, that’s all that any team wants. So the chance is still there for the team from the Highland Curling Club in Regina to hoist the Tankard Trophy.

It’s been 37 long years since a team from Saskatchewan has tasted champagne at the Brier. Saskatoon’s Rick Folk last turned the trick in 1980 in Calgary, and went on to win the world men’s curling championship.

But after that? Nada. It’s been one dry hole after the other for the Stubblejumpers, and the question each year is, why? Why has a province so rich in curling history, and where the game is so popular among the masses, failed to win the Canadian men’s curling title in such a long time?

Keep in mind that during Saskatchewan’s Brier drought, two of its teams have been disasters. Don Gardiner of Lemberg came home with a 1-10 record while Quill Lake’s Doug Harcourt was a miserable 3-8.

This record of futility is a bit of an embarrassment for a province that lays claims to Ernie Richardson, and despite its record is still pretty deep in curling talent.

So, what’s the problem?Saskatchewan coach Pat Simmons, who skipped

Saskatchewan teams at four straights Briers between 2005-2008 and threw fourth stones for Yorkton’s Steve Laycock

in 2011, is as surprised as anyone the drought has carried on as long as it has, but doesn’t think Saskatchewan has become a have-not curling province.

“There have been a lot of close-calls, right,” said Simmons, who stuck it big in Alberta where he won back-to-back Briers (2014-15). “There have been a number of cases where one shot here or there could have made a difference, and had they been made that (drought) story wouldn’t even exist.”

That’s true. Saskatchewan has sent some pretty good teams over the years. Simmons came close in 2008 when he guided Saskatchewan to a 9-2 round-robin record, losing in the semifinal.

Simmons, who has played in nine Briers, says what Saskatchewan really needs is a core group of good teams to challenge each other.

“For the last eight or 10 years I think we’ve lacked two-to-four really good teams to make each other better by pushing each other. That’s what we’re going to try to build up now, get a solid nucleus that if they want to get to the Brier, and win, they have to get better. That’s what you’ve seen in the last generation in Alberta. The last eight years, for sure, we’ve lacked that.”

Saskatchewan, though, is still in this Brier, and Simmons believes the boys in green, under Casey, have been gaining in confidence with each passing day. Casey, who was recruited to take over the team this season from his home in Charlottetown, has adjusted well to his new teammates — third Catlin Schneider, second Shaun Meachem and lead Dustin Kidby.

“This team has had some growing pains,” said Simmons, “but they’ve obviously figured it out in time and started to peak as the year went on. Good for them. Things are working out well. We’ll see what happens.”

By DAVE KOMOSKYTankard Times Editor

Sask. hasn’t tasted bubbly in 37 years

2017 BRIER

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