1999 Brier
SLAM! Sports
SLAM! Curling
1999 BRIER
ON THE ROCKS
INTERACTIVE
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West passes the test
New Brunswick second has special memories of Briers in Western Canada
A native of Noranda, Que., Perron tossed second rocks for Russ Howard's New Brunswick rink during the Labatt Brier - his third appearance in the national men's curling championship.
The West is definitely the best.
For openers, Perron, who was voted to the second all-star team this year, wasn't overly impressed with Hamilton in 1991.
"That was kind of a low-budget Brier,'' the 36-year-old was saying yesterday.
Kamloops three years ago may well have been the personal choice as No. 1 on Perron's hit parade.
"It was pretty good to me, I won the car,'' winked Perron of the Hot Shots competition that netted him a new Ford Contour.
"I felt like Norm on Cheers,'' added Perron. "Every time I walked into the Brier Patch, everybody knew me. All kinds of people wanted to drive it back (to Moncton) for me.''
How does the Edmonton production shape up?
"This one was more pleasurable, we were right in the hunt,'' he said of a 7-4 round-robin showing that was followed by Friday's tie-breaker triumph over Nova Scotia and a semifinal playoff setback to Friendly Green Giant Gerald Shymko's Saskatchewan quartet.
"This was enjoyable,'' said Perron, who operates a crafts and hobby shop.
"There was a lot of hospitality and the fans were super, and knowledgeable. They were cheering for everybody and for good shots.
"It was fun to stand along the boards and chat with them.''
He was also impressed with the competition.
"It was excellent, probably one of the most level fields,'' said Perron, alluding to the fact even Glenn Goss's 3-8 Newfoundland foursome has won some cashspiels.
A deep field: Like most other participants forced to make a premature exit, Goss was totally impressed with the cross-country lineup.
"This is by far the strongest group I've played against,'' said the 41-year-old, who also made his third appearance. "It's the deepest.
"You didn't have your (Kevin) Martins (1991 and '97 champ) and (last year's victor Wayne) Middaughs, but (Russ) Howard was back and (Jeff) Stoughton is here, (Guy) Hemmings is here (Bert) Gretzinger is here.
"The other teams that maybe people don't know across Eastern or Western Canada - the (Gerald) Shymkos, the (Ken) Hunkas and these guys - are as good as there is. It's the deepest field I've seen anywhere.''
Itching to return: Goss's third Glenn Turpin was making his initial Brier appearance after quitting curling for a dozen years due to the disappointment of three bridesmaid finishes (1983, '84 and '86) in the Newfoundland playdowns. But now that he's had a taste, the 40-year-old can't wait to return for another crack.
"Oh definitely,'' smiled Turpin. "You'd be surprised how much you learn out there playing with these fellows. It's exciting, nerve-wracking, everything.
"The competition is about what I expected. I mean, you can't miss at all. Even if you miss three-quarters of a rock, you'll pay for it.
"That's the way it should be.''
Even though the Brier kicked around the Yukon/Northwest Territories to the tune of an 0-11 record for futility, the beleaguered Yellowknife squad can't wait to come back, according to second Brian Wasnea.
"We got beat up, yes, but I got to curl and I love to curl - win, lose or draw,'' said the native of Fort Vermillion. "We learned something.
"And in that last game Thursday night against Russ Howard, we showed 13,350 people that we can play this game,'' added Wasnea of the round-robin-concluding 7-6 extra-end loss to New Brunswick.
"The bottom line is I can't wait to come back and curl against the best ... and the Labatt Brier is where the best is.''
Seafood, anyone? If one's ever down Nova Scotia way - specifically the Halifax suburb of Musquodoboit Harbour - the invitation's out to dine at Paul Flemming's tiny Harbour Fish 'N' Fries restaurant.
"Most of the time I eat there,'' confessed the Nova Scotia rink skip. "I try to stay away from it sometimes. But I usually give in to the craving once every two or three days.
"I think we have pretty good fish and chips,'' he added of the 600-square-foot eatery he's operated for going on four years. "We have clams, fish, scallops, all that good stuff.''
Flemming's third, Edmonton-born Blayne Iskiw said the rink is planning to have a shin-dig at the restaurant upon returning to Halifax.
"Paul's been worried this week. He put a clam order, so he'll be running when he gets back,'' chuckled Iskiw. "I'm sure his wife's quite busy.''
No doubt, not only is Sandi Flemming operating the restaurant, but only two weeks ago she delivered the couple's first child - Jake Alexander.