1999 Brier
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SLAM! Curling
1999 BRIER
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Say 'oui' to Guy!
Hemmings a winner even in defeat
But Guy Hemmings could not conquer the king.
But even in defeat, he was a winner.
"Let's hear it for the new prime minister,'' yelled a leather-lunged fan from the cheap seats at the Skyreach during the closing ceremonies.
"Yeah, I'd still want to be prime minister,'' said Hemmings. "I could take that money.''
It was typical of the exchanges Hemmings had with the crowd this week. They loved him all week.
"If Quebec separates, they can't have Guy,'' said one sign in the stands.
They continued to love him even when he ran out of chances. They would love for him to get another chance.
But now, they can only hope that he gets back again.
A curler with Hemmings' charisma in a group that produces more than its share of nice guys comes along once in a lifetime. Curling fans hope he keeps coming back as long as he lives.
"I can't leave the game, I love it too much,'' said Hemmings, 37. "We've been a successful team. We come from Quebec, which is not as strong as the rest of the provinces. We showed up here and made it second in the country two years in a row. That's a good sign.
'`The best part is the crowd. I don't know why people love us so much. It was my best memory last year. I'd have to say it's my best memory again.''
Chances are, he'll be back again. And again. And again.
"I'll play it until I get to seniors,'' said Hemmings. When I can't walk any more, I guess I'll have to play in the super seniors.''
For the second straight year, Hemmings had to settle for second prize at the Labatt Brier.
Despite the loss, Hemmings can be proud of his team's effort. His exploits are finally being noticed in his home province of Quebec, which was notorious for its coolness toward curling.
His viewer-friendly style made him a hit in Western Canada, enemy territory for the political masters of his home province.
"I can't say we came up with a big game, but they played well,'' said Hemmings.
"It's no time to look back to see what we did wrong. Give the credit to the winner. The winner played better than the loser. They deserved to win and good for them.
"It's a good team. I hope they go on and win the world. It was a good Brier for them to win. It's a well-deserved win for them.''
Sure, Hemmings will go home a bit disappointed. But the team that battles all the way to the final only to fall one win short usually does go home disappointed.
"It's such a long road making it to the final, I was happy just to play in that game,'' said Hemmings.
"I'm not going to go home with my tail between my legs. Maybe next time I'll win it. I want a chance to get back to the 2000 Brier.''
While Hemmings managed to keep his composure despite the heartbreaking loss, his third Pierre Charette's chin was trembling as he was fighting back the tears of yet another so-close-but-yet-so far finish for the second straight year.
"I don't know what it is. I guess it's because I'm younger,'' Hemmings said with a nervous laugh.
"Everybody has to manage their emotions any way they can. I'm disappointed not winning, but nobody's going to force me to say I'm disappointed about being here today.
"I look at the crowd here today and I can't say I'm disappointed at all.''
Hemmings hung on as long as he could. But once Stoughton scored his fatal steal in the sixth, all he could do was go gambling.
"After the sixth end, we went to force the play a bit,'' said Hemmings.
"We knew from the beginning it was not a good team to be two behind. We were really in trouble at that point. Just one end changed the game around. The first five ends we held our share. If the game would have been on line on the last shot, if you have a chance to win the Brier, it would have been more exciting.
"For us, (Saturday's semi) was certainly the peak of the Brier. All the crowd was sitting on the edge of their seat and it was an exciting moment.''
Sure, it was a bit of a down ending for an up week. But Hemmings will take memories home with him.
You can bet, the fans all across the country hope there will be more memories to come.