Stoughton's last stand?

HALIFAX -- Consider that Jeff Stoughton is 46, Kevin Martin is likely on a beach somewhere with his gold medal hanging around his neck, and this just might be the Charleswood skip's best and last chance of winning another Brier.

The action kicks off in Halifax on Saturday and Stoughton will be a favourite, along with Ontario's Glenn Howard, Kevin Koe out of Alberta and Brad Gushue representing Newfoundland.

Certainly it's not a stretch to imagine Stoughton standing under the lights with his arms raised in victory on the ice at the Halifax Metro Centre when all the sweeping is done. A lock? No way. But if Stoughton is to win a third Brier, well, the opportunity won't get any better than this. Having Martin out of the picture gives the entire field a leg up and Stoughton might just take advantage before age and a nice young crop of Manitoba curlers make it impossible for him to get out of his own province.

This is Stoughton's eighth trip to the Brier, and though he was able to collect the coveted Bison patch, it's getting more difficult with the likes of Mike McEwen and Jason Gunnlaugson obviously on the cusp. It's easy to imagine one of those young bucks winning next year and, in fact, McEwen was very close this year.

Rivals Vic Peters and now, it appears, Kerry Burtnyk, have begun to fade, and sooner or later the same will have to happen to Stoughton. Just not yet, says the confident skip, who will take lead Steve Gould, second Rob Fowler and third Kevin Park into battle in pursuit of a third Brier. Stoughton first won in 1996 and last made it happen at the national curling championship in 1999.

"I think Vic put it best when he said it comes down to losing about a shot per game. That's a lot when you consider you need to play 14 or 15 or whatever in order to win here," Stoughton said. "I've curled hard for about 25 years. Sooner or later it has to take effect, but so far I feel good. My legs don't hurt and I'm in OK shape."

Stoughton has been in the hunt of late but has been unable to cash in at marquee events such as the Brier and the Olympic Trials. Last year he lost to Martin in the final at the Brier, and in 2005 lost to Newfoundland's Brad Gushue at the Olympic Trials in the final.

So where does he think his team ranks heading into this Brier?

"I think we'll go in expecting to win. I think everyone does. There have been years where we've gone and I haven't been overly surprised when things don't work out, but I like our chances this year," said Stoughton.

Asked who he would lay money on if there were legal gambling on curling, he queried: "Why wouldn't you put it on us?"

There's been some talk that with Olympic champion Martin not in the field, this Brier winner might have an asterisk beside his name when it's all said and done.

"Put an asterisk anywhere you like," Stoughton sniffed. "Look at it this way: If Kevin Martin had gone and played in the Alberta playdowns, no one would have been surprised if Kevin Koe had knocked him off. That's the way it is in that province. Koe is a good curler and has to be considered a favourite at this event."

Stoughton certainly doesn't think any team that wins and represents Canada at the world championship should feel in any way diminished.

"No, absolutely not. Who cares? You get a chance to wear the Maple Leaf and represent your country," Stoughton said. "Any time you can do that, it's an amazing opportunity."

Stoughton rejigged his team a few years ago and he says this group has come into its own. Gould is the only member of the group who was with him back in 1999 when he was last Canadian champ.

Stoughton says teams win and lose based on the play of the skip and he's fine with that.

"The skip has to play well for a team to win," said Stoughton. "I'm feeling good."

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca

The field

We ran into Stoughton at lunch this week at the venerable Granite Curling Club in downtown Winnipeg while he threw some rocks. Here's his take on the field:

Alberta: Kevin Koe -- "He's put in his time and had some success on the tour. He's in the mix."

Northwest Territories/Yukon: Jamie Koe -- "He's Kevin's brother. We've played him a few times. They've got a nice team."

B.C.: Jeff Richard -- "They had to beat some good teams to get here. They might make some noise."

Nova Scotia: Ian Fitzner-LeBlanc -- "This is his first time. We really don't know too much about him.

Ontario: Glenn Howard -- "(tongue firmly in cheek) They won't make the weekend. They'll finish 11th or 12th."

New Brunswick: James Grattan -- "Not too sure about him and his team."

P.E.I.: Rod MacDonald -- "I'm exaggerating, but I think he's been to like 20 Briers."

Newfoundland and Labrador: Brad Gushue -- "He's an Olympic gold-medal winner. He could be there at the end."

Quebec: Serge Reid -- "I know their fifth is Pierre Charette, but that's about it."

Northern Ontario: Brad Jacobs -- "We've curled against them a few times. They've got the potential to beat some teams."

Saskatchewan: Darrell McKee -- "You have to be good to get out of that province. He beat some solid teams to get to this stage."

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition March 5, 2010 C3