Bottcher rules the Brier

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This article was published 15/03/2021 (1809 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Elation, sure. Belief, indeed. But, perhaps, the best word to describe Brendan Bottcher’s 2021 Brier championship: finally.

After enduring the ache of defeat in three consecutive Canadian men’s curling finals, the 29-year-old skip steered his crew to its long-anticipated first championship on Sunday night in Calgary.

Bottcher and his team from the Saville Sports Centre in Edmonton slipped past Kevin Koe’s Wild Card 2 team 4-2 in the battle of Alberta at WinSport Arena.

The skip, with third Darren Moulding, second Brad Thiessen and lead Karrick Martin, will represent Canada at the world men’s championship in the same Calgary bubble, April 2-11.

Bottcher bravely faced the cameras following three bitterly disappointing losses the last three years but finally got the opportunity to relish victory.

“It’s just absolutely amazing. Those three years were tough for different reasons but it just makes tonight so much more special that we persevered and worked so hard and we’ve just been so consistent the last few years. It’s awesome,” he said.

“We played tough. The (semifinal) wasn’t our best and we knew we’d have to come out (against Koe) and play our absolute best, and we did. And I’m just so proud of the boys for bringing it their all. It’s such a good feeling when you know you’ve worked so hard and then you come out and play your best in the biggest game there is.”

Earlier in the day, Bottcher edged Saskatchewan’s Matt Dunstone 6-5 in the championship semifinal.

Bottcher was brilliant, curling 97 per cent in the final, and was named the playoff most valuable player.

Moulding wept openly last year in Kingston, Ont., but felt nothing but joy and relief this time around.

“For me, personally, it’s a lifetime of work coming to fruition. It’s a dream that I’ve had since I can remember. I don’t remember life ever not dreaming and wanting this,” Moulding said.

Things were a bit harried in the 10th, however, Moulding made a great hit and roll behind cover with his last rock to turn around the end. Koe, the keen strategist, had no conceivable way to score a deuce and threw in the towel without even tossing his final stone and just seconds left on the clock.

A huge turning point came in the seventh end when a pick on Koe’s first rock turned into a count of three and a 3-1 Alberta lead.

“Obviously, it was a well-played game. I had a pick in seven that’s obviously huge in a low-scoring game,” he said. “That was their chance and they took advantage of it.

“It was only going to be a matter of time … they’ll do well at worlds.”

B.J. Neufeld, a Winnipegger who plays third for Koe, said the Alberta squads have pushed each other over the years, to the benefit of both.

“We’ve had some great games with Brendan, some really big games that always go down to the wire, always with a bit of drama,” he said.

Bottcher will never forget his time in the Calgary bubble, going through COVID-19 testing, temperature checks and plenty of alone time in his hotel room.

Celebrations with family and friends, barred from the building owing to health protocols, will come soon enough.

Koe was always a Brier favourite, never a wild card. His Calgary team earned a late invite but was anything but a place filler.

But one of the game’s all-time greats missed a chance to win a historic fifth Brier as a skip. He remains tied with Ernie Richardson, Randy Ferbey and Kevin Martin.

Karrick Martin vacated the shadow of his father, Kevin, a long time ago with his own splendid play but admitted he was thinking about family ties after the triumph.

“It’s very special. I grew up with (the trophy) on the mantle a couple of times, got to know it really well, and wanted to get it myself. It took a few tries but it’s a big deal,” said Karrick. “I know how much work he put in, and we put in a ton of work.”

ALL-STAR TEAMS

 

The Brier all-stars were announced Sunday morning by Curling Canada.

The first team included skip Brad Gushue (Team Canada), third Braeden Moskowy (Saskatchewan), second Brad Thiessen (Alberta) and lead Ben Hebert (Wild Card 2).

The second team included skip Kevin Koe (Wild Card 2), third B.J. Neufeld (Wild Card 2), second Brett Gallant (Team Canada) and lead Ryan Harnden (Northern Ontario).

Alberta skip Brendan Bottcher earned the Ross Harstone Sportsmanship Award, which is voted on by all Brier competitors.

 

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPJasonBell