Bottcher rolls into third final in a row

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This article was published 08/03/2020 (2218 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

KINGSTON, Ont. — One of Team Alberta’s many supporters said something Saturday that might easily be mistaken for exaggerated enthusiasm — until one considers the source.

Kevin Martin, a Canadian curling legend whose career highlights include an Olympic gold medal, a world championship and four Brier titles, likes everything he’s seen from the Brendan Bottcher team this week at the national men’s championship.

“They just keep getting stronger,” said Martin, who’s son, Karrick Martin, tosses lead rocks on an Alberta squad that’s about to make its third consecutive Brier final.

Bottcher was on the losing end in Regina to Brad Gushue of Newfoundland-Labrador in 2018 and then suffered a defeat to Kevin Koe of Calgary a year later in Brandon.

There might be no stopping the 28-year-old skip and his red-hot crew from the Saville Community Sports Centre in Edmonton this time around. Bottcher beat Saskatchewan’s Matt Dunstone 9-4 in the 1-vs.-2 game of the Page playoffs to book a spot in this evening’s final.

“For sure, we’ve had some up and downs this week, but all you can ask for is that coming into the playoffs you’re peaking and playing your best,” Bottcher said. “I think that’s what we’ve done so far.”

Bottcher, third Darren Moulding, second Brad Thiessen and Martin earned the first choice of stones and last-rock advantage in the opening end in the championship finale, set for 6 p.m. (TSN-TV) at Leon’s Centre.

He’s eager for another crack at the elusive Brier title.

“I want it bad. You don’t know how many chances you’re going to get in moments like this. But that said, I’m super proud of how well we’ve played. I was proud of how well we played the last couple of years, too,” Bottcher said. “I think if we keep doing our thing, we’ll be in the hunt.”

Alberta was the class of the sensational field in Kingston all week, finishing with a 10-1 record after the preliminary and championship rounds. Bottcher never trailed Dunstone, progressing to a 4-2 lead after seven ends and a 5-4 lead after the nine, before wielding a mighty hammer to nail down a four-ender coming home.

Dunstone, the ex-Winnipegger who has represented Saskatchewan in two of the last three Briers, lamented a missed double-takeout for a likely game-tying deuce in the sixth end. Instead of reading 3-3, the scoreboard had Alberta up 4-1.

“A super-easy double for two like that, against a team like that when you get opportunities and you don’t capitalize, you’re never going to pull it out. That’s one that has to be made at this level,” he said. “Learn from it and, hopefully, get more of those opportunities (Sunday).”

Dunstone dropped into today’s 11 a.m. semifinal against Gushue.

Late Saturday, Gushue swept Northern Ontario’s Brad Jacobs from the event with a 7-4 victory in the 3 vs. 4 game.

It’s been dream week for Dunstone, a two-time Canadian junior men’s champion playing under the Manitoba banner. He now resides in Kamloops, B.C.

Saskatchewan recorded a key 6-5 victory over Newfoundland- Labrador’s Brad Gushue to finish in second spot with a record of 8-3, highlighted by some brilliant shot-making by the demonstrative 24-year-old skip.

Dunstone, who’s joined on the team by third Braeden Moskowy, Catlin Schneider and lead Dustin Kidby, said he’s having the time of his life this week.

“Championship Brier on Sunday, it still doesn’t feel real in a certain way. On my end there were probably some nerves out there (Saturday). I just want to enjoy the moments,” he said. “With how deep this country is, you don’t know when opportunities like this are ever going to present themselves again.”

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPJasonBell