1999 Brier
SLAM! Sports
SLAM! Curling
1999 BRIER
ON THE ROCKS
INTERACTIVE
ALSO ON SLAM!
In the end...
Brier memories swept up
-B.C. skip Bert Gretzinger
Not everyone returns home today exclusively treasuring fond memories of the Labatt Brier.
Veteran British Columbia rockfest competitor Bert Gretzinger packs a disheartening 6-5 record back to Kelowna among his souvenirs.
Other than that, however, the 47 year old confirmed he had a most enjoyable 10-day stay in Edmonton.
"It's a fond memory in that it was the first time I've skipped,'' explained Gretzinger, who won the 1994 Brier in Red Deer as the second on Rick Folk's 11-1 B.C. foursome.
"Obviously I was quite disappointed that we didn't win more games this time. I thought we played well enough to win a few more, but it never quite worked out for us. We could have easily went 8-3 without even thinking about it, but... ''
That, as they say, is all water under the bridge now.
"It's been a great Brier, great building, great city, great ice. This was the best field I've ever played in - the toughest field I've been involved with,'' said the Winnipeg native, who was partaking in his sixth national men's bonspiel.
"The stats will probably verify that. It was a very tight, well-balanced field, so many games went down to the last rock. You just had to be in the right place at the right time.
"We just hit too many goal posts.''
Now it's back to the grind where Gretzinger's livelihood as the treasurer/general manager of a rental firm awaits his expertise in the Okanagan.
Lifetime memories
For Yukon/Northwest Territories third Pat Paslawski, the Brier was an experience of a lifetime.
"No doubt of that,'' smiled the Calgary-native, who is an environmental protection analyst in Whitehorse when he isn't throwing rocks on Orest Peech's rink. "It's the biggest thing I've ever been to in my life. I hope to get back, but if I don't, it's something I'll always remember - just a great time.
"Going an extra end against Russ Howard (Thursday night) in a game that really mattered, that was pretty cool.
"The fans were unbelievable for us.''
They were the lovable losers, all right, going 0-11.
So what else is new?
As usual, take a back seat, Calgary.
Edmonton traditionally hands the Cowtowners their lunch when it comes to athletic endeavours. Why should ice bowling be any different?
This time the word comes from Mark O'Rourke, who heaved second stones for Robert Campbell's Prince Edward Island foursome.
"This was a good Brier - even better than (1997) in Calgary as far as organization is concerned,'' deadpanned O'Rourke, who felt there was more parity in the field than last year when Ontario's Wayne Middaugh triumphed in Winnipeg.
"When someone like Middaugh or (Edmonton's) Kevin Martin comes with his 'A' game, it's almost like they're unbeatable.
"Here it was really even. You could go out every game with a chance to win.''
O'Rourke was also impressed with the Skyreach Centre ice. Pebbled curling ice, of course, is totally different from the pond on which the Oilers skate. But the fact the Brier competitors have been offering rave reviews shouldn't come as a total surprise. The ice has long been ranked No. 1 in the NHL.
"I don't think it has a lot to do with that, but this ice is about as good as arena ice gets to curl on,'' said the 36 year old, who is the manager/co-owner of a dry goods wholesale outfit.
"Normally frost tends to creep into arena ice when you get big crowds in the building, but that didn't happen here.'
A local regular
Chris Fulton's been to two Briers in his life - the first 11 years ago with Ted Hennigar's Nova Scotia rink that went 2-9 at the Agricom - the last time the Brier was staged locally.
This time it was bigger 'n' better as the lanky 35 year old played second on Rich Moffatt's 6-5 Ontario crew out of Ottawa.
"I guess there was three times as many more fans than in '87,'' said Fulton. "I had a lot of great memories from both. I was just awe-struck in '87 with the whole event.
"The second time coming back, I was more relaxed, less nervous and just felt more at home,'' continued Fulton, who along with New Brunswick skip Russ Howard was the only competitor to participate in the last two Edmonton Brierfests.
"I wish I could have done better in both of them. I've always had this dream to win a Brier, that's my lifelong dream. I've come short on both, but I have a lot of positive memories to take home from both,'' said Fulton, who tossed in a plug for the volunteers and drivers.
"The hospitality was great. If I had my way, I'd like to see the Brier here every year.''
He'll have to wait until 2005.