Issue 8 – Saturday, March 9, 2013 • An Official Publication of the Canadian Curling Association. Nobody’s perfect Ontario curlers Wayne Middaugh (left), Glenn Howard and Brent Laing had already booked their spot in the Page 1-2 Game but lost the perfect record to hometown fave Kevin Martin Friday. Sponsor of the Day See Sponsor Profiles on page 14 Page 2 2013 Tim Hortons Brier – Tankard Times For Ol’ Bear, it was THAT close JIM MORRIS The Tankard Times Wow! They saved the best for last as the final playoff positions were determined during a wild night of excitement during the last round- robin draw Friday at the Tim Hor- tons Brier, presented by Monsanto. The final piece of the puzzle fell into place when Manitoba’s Jeff Stoughton delivered a last-rock draw to the button for a 6-5 extra end victory over B.C.’s Andrew Bilesky, who was playing for noth- ing but pride. Alberta skip Kevin Martin could only watch his playoff hopes dis- appear as Stoughton celebrated the victory. Martin used a last-rock draw of his own for a 6-5 win that handed Ontario’s Glenn Howard his first loss. But Martin couldn’t overcome a horrible start to the week and won’t have a chance to win a record fifth Brier. “That was the most exciting evening I have ever been involved in curling,” said Howard, who fin- ished first with a 10-1 record. “I thoroughly enjoyed that evening.” Howard will now play Stoughton (8-3) in Saturday afternoon’s 1-2 game. Brad Gushue of Newfound- land & Labrador (8-3) faces Brad Jacobs of Northern Ontario (8-3) in the 3-4 game. Jacobs secured a playoff spot when he scored three points in the 10th end for a 5-3 win over Paul Flemming of Nova Scotia (1-10). “There’s relief and I’m elated by this,” said Jacobs. “We really wanted to come here and do as well as we could. “We made the playoffs. We have Manitoba skip Jeff Stoughton delivers the dagger to Alberta’s playoff chances in an extra-end win against B.C. a shot to win the Brier. We’re just pumped right now.” ferent than when they are cheering “We did the best we could,” said his rink of Wayne Middaugh, Brent “They don’t ever play bad,” he Stoughton and his rink of Jon for you,” said the 2011 world cham- Martin. “We put ourselves in that Laing and Craig Savill. said. “They can bring some of the Mead, Reid Charruthers and Mark pion. position. “I have to admit this is one of the best shot making known to man.” Nichols had a battle with the young “I’m really glad we made that “It was so loud. That was best Briers I have ever seen the four Stoughton is just thrilled to be in team from B.C. who finished with a last shot. I was able to calm down (Edmonton) Oiler playoff loud, if of us play,” said Howard. “It’s been the playoffs. 1-10 record. because it was pretty damn exciting you remember the last time.” surreal. “Thanks goodness we are there,” The large Rexall Place crowd out there. I’m glad we were able to There were chants of “Howard, “All four guys are firing on eight he said. “We have two chances to knew a Manitoba loss would pull it off.” Howard” as the Ontario skip pre- cylinders. I love what I see. The get to the final. put Martin in a tiebreaker. They It was a frustrating night for Mar- pared for his last shot. He respond confidence is there. We’re not mak- “We know we are going to have to chanted and taunted the Winnipeg tin and his rink of John Morris, by urging the crowd to be louder. ing any back-to-back misses, hardly play better and bring the best game skip during the extra end. Marc Kennedy and Ben Hebert. The Howard, who at 50 is oldest any misses at all. It feels great.” we can.” “When they are heckling and only other time Martin has missed player in the Brier, sounded like a Howard expects another battle yelling at you to miss it’s a lot dif- the Brier playoffs was in 2000. proud father when he talked about against Stoughton. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 Saturday, March 9, 2013 Page 3 Quebec skip Jean- Michel Ménard kicked out his playoff chances with a pair of losses Friday. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 Gushue shook off a frustrating morning loss to Martin and clinched a playoff spot with a 5-4 win over Jean-Michel Menard of Quebec in the afternoon. Enjoy Amarula over ice, or with That stopped a three-game losing streak for the young rink of Gushue, Brett Gallant, coffee topped with whipped cream Adam Casey and Geoff Walker. “To finally be on the right side of very well game is nice,” said Gushue, the 2006 Olym- - it’s the perfect winter warmer. pic gold medallist. “We probably played better in our last four games than we did in the first seven. “It just seems like people are making a lot of shots against us. Fortunately we are making a lot of shots to make them good games.,” The loss ended Menard’s playoff hopes. “We controlled our destiny and unfortunately we’re not able to pull off the win,” said the 2006 Brier champion. The winner of the Howard-Stoughton game advances directly to Sunday’s final. The loser goes to the semifinal and will face the winner of the Gushue-Jacobs match. The loser of the 3-4 game meets the semifinal loser in Sunday’s bronze-medal game. The Brier winner will represent Canada at the Ford World Men’s Curling Championship, beginning March 30 in Victoria. Martin kept his playoff hopes alive with an edge-of-the-seat victory over Gushue during the morning draw. The veteran skip used his last rock in the 10th end removed a Gushue stone to score two for a 6-5 win. “It was a really good toe-to-toe battle,” said Martin. Jamie Koe of NWT/Yukon played spoiler in the morning, defeating Stoughton 7-6 and denying the Winnipeg skip a chance to wrap up second spot. THE OFFICIAL SPIRIT OF “They played well but we didn’t,” said Stoughton. “We didn’t get rocks in position.” CHAMPIONSHIP CURLING The win helped ease the frustration of a disappointing week for Koe, who made the play- offs last year with a 7-4 record. “You want to do well and you train to do well,” said Koe. “When you don’t play at your peak when you’re supposed to it’s disappointing. “It’s always good to go out on a winning note.” In the other morning games New Brunswick beat B.C. 8-4 while Ontario pounded P.E.I. www.amarula.com Represented by PMA Canada Ltd. | www.pmacanada.com 6-1. Find us on Facebook: Amarula is a rare find. Appreciate accordingly. facebook.com/Amarula In the other afternoon games the NWT/Yukon beat Saskatchewan 10-6 and P.E.I. needed an extra end to edge Nova Scotia 5-4. Page 4 2013 Tim Hortons Brier – Tankard Times MEET THE TEAMS: ONTARIO • GLENN HOWARD • COLDWATER & DISTRICT CURLING CLUB • COLDWATER Team Sponsors: Weedman, Itravel your curling career, and why? Father Bill your curling career, and why?T oo many 2000, VR Mechanical, JVC, Balance- and brother Russ. Father got me started people to pick just one Plus.com in the sport and my brother taught me If you were on TSN Skins Game and got Team you’ve played lots this season, a ton. to choose your team, who would the best challenge?: Jeff Stoughton If you were on TSN Skins Game and got other 3 be, and no you can’t pick your to choose your team, who would the current teammates, and they all must other 3 be, and no you can’t pick your be from separate teams? Kevin Martin Glenn Howard current teammates, and they all must be as third as he’s got almost all the shots, Position: Skip from separate teams? Brother Russ, Son Russ Howard at second so I don’t make Family Details: Wife : Judy (24 yrs mar- – Scott and Nephew Steven Howard. any bad calls and Benny Heebz at lead, ried), Son – Scott (22), daughter Carly What would be the best thing about I need at least one person who can (19) representing Canada in Sochi, what sweep. Occupation: Manager The Beer Store you want to do there other than win- What would be the best thing about rep- Birthdate: July 17, 1962 ning Gold? Representing your country resenting Canada in Sochi, what you Birthplace: Midland , Ontario in “anything” is a dream come true and want to do there other than winning Hometown: Penetanguishene, Ontario very special. The Olympics would be the Gold? Just take it all in and win gold for Favorite place to curl?: Any arena in ultimate dream. Winning Gold is the all of Canada. Canada only reason to go, but if I had to answer If you could make one change to rules, Nickname: Cliffy then seeing some of the other sporting equipment, etc., to improve the game Delivery: Right - handed events and cheering for Team Canada. what would it be? Make it faster! Go to shot: Draw If you could make one change to rules, Longest serving teammate:Brent Laing equipment, etc., to improve the game and Craig Savill what would it be? Get rid of the Page Brent Laing If you could be on a reality TV show, playoff system….the 1 vs 2 game is Position - second what would it be and what would you ridiculous.