1999 Brier
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SLAM! Curling
1999 BRIER
ON THE ROCKS
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Beasts from the East!
Atlantic teams reversing history at this Brier
It was Atlantic hosting night at the Granite Curling Club last night.
And there was plenty of reason to celebrate among the unique brand of hospitality and oceans of seafood.
While all those around them were losing their heads, Nova Scotia's Paul Flemming and Russ Howard of New Brunswick both posted two-win days at the Labatt Brier.
That put both rinks at 5-2 and assured them of at least a tie for second.
Guy Hemmings came into the day 5-0. He finished 5-2. Jeff Stoughton had a split. He's 5-2.
"We should have lost the game (Monday),'' said Hemmings.
"Today, we played better, but in the ninth I blew a shot and it cost me the game. It's still a good spot.
'`I'm still disappointed. Hopefully, we'll bounce back tomorrow and play a bit better.''
It's a different perspective for the region which has traditionally not done well at the Brier.
Nova Scotia has just two Brier wins and New Brunswick has never won curling's most prestigious show.
They're usually out of it by this time of the week.
But while most of the attention this week has gone to Hemmings, Jeff Stoughton, Howard and Flemming have hung in there.
"They're rated 1-2-3 and we weren't expected to do as well as them, which is just fine,'' said Flemming.
"We're just playing our own game and hopefully will be there at the end of the week.''
Flemming said his exposure in winning the Canadian mixed title earlier this year was a big bonus. That exposure has helped his composure.
"Not panicking if you lose one early helped me understand there's lots of time left,'' said Flemming. "I love the round-robin.''
Battling through the early rounds, Flemming has already gone past most of the upper-echelon teams.
The four games he has left are, on paper, much easier than his first seven. The trouble is, the game's played on ice, not on paper, so Flemming's not getting overly confident just yet.
He figured a .500 record in his last four games will put him right where he wants to be, finishing with a 7-4 record.
Howard, who represented Ontario at eight previous Briers, can also sense a shift in power to the Atlantic provinces.
"When I got the draw, I said Ontario plays here, Ontario plays there,'' said Howard. "Then I realized I'm not Ontario this time.
"I've never been to the Atlantic party before. I tell you, the Eastern teams, now that I am one I'm defending them.
'`One shot and you're there. P.E.I. could have won four or five games and Newfoundland has been in every game I've been looking at. And Nova Scotia's a very interesting team.
'`There's a lot of parity here. It might not show on the scoreboard or standings at the end of the week, but if you watch the games, they're very close.''