Let’s Get It Started
Friday, March 7, 2008 | 08:50 PM ET
Well, I’m just getting started with this blog and of course the curlers are getting ready for the biggest week of their year - the Brier!
As billed, the rocks are going to roll and there will be some good old fashioned rock and roll all week long. Check out the schedule for all of the off ice activities here.
The best part of opening day is that every team is tied for first, or if you are a pessimist, tied for last. Each player feels differently before the start of a big event - excited, optimistic, nervous, terrified, confident, with each player using these feelings to hopefully, bring out their best for the week.
First day, the Friday before the Brier’s first draw, is filled with, well, fillers.
After settling into your new home for the next 10 days (you know, your average 20’ x 12’ hotel room, bar fridge and small TV) it’s finally time to check out the arena, throw some rocks and wait … then stand around, watch ... and wait and stand around some more.
Here’s the breakdown for a long day.
Each team gets to practice on each sheet of ice for 12 minutes, if you are one of the lucky ones (ha) your practice will start at 8 a.m. When finished you might go for brunch, then wait for the next item on the list.
Next on the agenda is the team picture at 11 a.m. Try and get 60 men to line up for a photo - good luck! Once all the ribbing, literally, is over, it’s time for the team meeting. Here’s where the CCA lays down the law for the week, reminds everyone of the dos and don’ts, they introduce the head official and, to their credit, they do keep it short and simple.
Next up the Ford Hot Shots, depending on your team’s time to perform, you guessed it, you stand around and wait and watch. You get to joke with the players, get your jabs in when someone underperforms and just hope you are not one of those guys! Ahhh, the first nerves of the event, don’t choke yet.
Alright, that’s over with, hmmm, now what, well the opening gala is at 6 p.m., time for a movie or a swim?
For most, it’s an exciting day, but a very long day and you can’t wait for it to be over because the next day is when it all starts to mean something.
So, now that I have babbled on, how’s this week going to play out? My fearless predictions coming up and you will notice that I’m going to cop out on picking a winner here. (I do have a winner picked as my wife and I have a side bet going, but that pick has been sealed and locked away to be revealed near the end of the week). So, I figure once the playoff teams have been determined, my crystal ball will become clearer and I can then predict the winner.
This field is so good and evenly matched that a 7-4 record could get you into the 1 vs. 2 and 3 vs. 4 game.
Round Robin, Top 2: Alberta (Martin) and Ontario (Howard). How can you not pick these guys - great seasons, the only concern would be that now famous pinky finger of John Morris.
3rd and 4th: This is tough. Manitoba (Burtnyk) and Saskatchewan (Simmons). Breakout time for Simmons and hometown favorite Burtnyk to rock the house.
Tie-breaker losers: Nfld/Lab (Gushue) and B.C. (Ursel). Good showing for both teams but lose out trying to get into the playoffs.
Best of the rest: Quebec (Menard) and N.B. (Grattan). These teams will upset some, but won’t have the horses to make it to the playoffs.
Try again next year: N.S. (Rafuse), P.E.I. (Gallant), N. Ont. (Harnden) and N.W.T. (Cowan)
What’s great about this field? There is not one Brier rookie skip, so they all should know what they are getting themselves into.
Key games to watch:
Draw 1, Sat. 2 p.m. - B.C. vs Ontario
Draw 2, Sat 7 p.m. - Ontario vs Nfld/Lab.
Till next time, Keep on Rockin’
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About the Author
Former world and Brier champion Jeff Stoughton joins CBCSports.ca with his take on the 2008 Canadian men’s curling championship.
The Winnipeg native - widely regarded as one of this country's top skips - captured Brier titles in 1996 and 1999, winning the world championship in 1996 and finishing second in 1999.
Stoughton has won a record six provincial titles over his career. He currently curls out of the Charleswood Curling Club with teammates Ryan Fry, Rob Fowler, Steve Gould.
Fans can keep track of Team Stoughton on their website: http://www.teamjeffstoughton.com
Recent Posts
- Brier final not a classic
- Monday, March 17, 2008
- Brier final is a true clash of titans
- Sunday, March 16, 2008
- Can reeling Saskatchewan recover from its bad break?
- Saturday, March 15, 2008
- Round robin is over but we have overtime
- Friday, March 14, 2008
- Down to the wire at the Brier
- Thursday, March 13, 2008
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Comments
Nick Daniels
Is it just sour grapes because I'm an Ontario fan or is there anyone else out there as annoyed as I am that the TV coverage cut away from the final rock of the final end before it had actually stopped moving and was technically still in play?
Doesn't CBC have a replay from some other camera that shows where the rock ended up???
Posted March 17, 2008 03:12 PM