Fowler outclassed as Manitoba loses 9-3 to Ontario

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This article was published 09/03/2012 (4950 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SASKATOON — Rob Fowler has shown a lot of different looks in the course of what’s been a roller-coaster week for Manitoba at the 2012 Tim Hortons Brier.

He’s been red-hot, winning his final four round-robin games. He’s been cold as ice in losing two of three early in the week. He’s looked as nervous and wide-eyed as you’d expect a rookie skip to look. And then he’s looked entirely at home, like he’s been playing his whole life in front huge crowds and national television audiences.

But for all the different looks Fowler showed here this week, he never looked outclassed — until Friday night.

Playing against Ontario’s Glenn Howard in the Page playoff 1 vs. 2 game, a trip to the Brier final hanging in the balance, Fowler and his Manitoba foursome were on the receiving end of a thrashing the likes of which we seldom see in the Brier playoffs.

Put it this way: The 9-3 final score actually flattered Manitoba.

Fowler trailed 2-0 after the first end, 4-0 after three ends and two field goals at 7-1 heading into the fifth-end break en route to a humiliating loss to a Howard four who were merciless and meticulous in unravelling a Manitoba rink that had high hopes when they stepped on the ice Friday night.

By night’s end, Howard had extended his winning streak here this week to nine games, advanced to the 11th Brier final of his career and left in his wake a Manitoba team that will have to figure out a way to somehow pick up the pieces today in time to play in tonight’s semifinal (TSN, 7 p.m.).

Manitoba will face the winner of this afternoon’s historic 3 vs. 4 game between Alberta’s Kevin Koe and the Territories’ Jamie Koe (TSN, 1:30 p.m.). The game represents the first time brothers have faced each other in the playoffs and is also the first time a team from the Territories has played in the Brier playoffs.

Fowler pleaded guilty last night, but with an explanation. And a vow.

“Today was a day when a lot of family arrived. We’re in a little different environment. As I said, the ice was a little straighter and a little keener, so there was a lot of firsts out there tonight,” he offered. “So to experience that — and feel it — is something that I think you need to get through.

“We got beat down, but we’ll get up off the mat and we’ll be back and ready for the fight (tonight).”

Friday night’s game ultimately turned on a disastrous third end in which the only thing worse than Manitoba’s strategy was their execution. After a series of puzzling calls by Fowler and poor throws by his teammates, he was facing four Ontario counters ringing the four-foot when he finally went to throw his last.

Fowler needed a tiny roll on an open hit to escape with a single, but he didn’t get it and handed Ontario a steal of two instead — and the 4-0 lead that was more than enough for Howard on a night when Ontario shot a blistering 94 per cent as a team.

Howard played in the 2011, 2010 and 2008 Brier finals and lost all three. In addition, he also lost the 2009 final of the Canadian Curling Trials, which determined Canada’s Olympic representative for Vancouver. More recently, he lost the final of the 2011 Canada Cup last December, which determined the first teams to qualify for the 2013 Trials in Winnipeg.

So with a recent finals history like that, Howard was asked Friday night why this Sunday’s final will be any different.

“Because we’re going to win this Brier,” he said. “I like the way we’re playing. We brought the so-called A-game last night and today, and hopefully we’ll bring it (Sunday).”

Howard said he wouldn’t expect another walk-over from Fowler Sunday night if Manitoba wins today and advances to face him in the final.

“They know they’re going to have to play better than that,” Howard said. “Rob and the boys weren’t on their game, for whatever reason. Maybe they didn’t pick up on the ice. It wasn’t the vintage Rob Fowler we’re used to.”

Fowler noted his team played their best at last month’s Manitoba provincials only when they had their backs to the wall, having to win three sudden-death playoff games to capture the title.

“Essentially, it’s going to take the same kind of effort here this weekend to get where we want to go.”

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca