1999 Brier
SLAM! Sports
SLAM! Curling
1999 BRIER
ON THE ROCKS
INTERACTIVE
ALSO ON SLAM!
Redeeming qualities
But it was no shame.
Eleven draws into the 1987 Labatt Brier at the AgriCom and the same people who were carving the 1973 event at The Gardens were offering rave reviews.
It was a beaut. And from the first draw, it was a total turkey shoot.
"This is the most surprising Brier we've ever had,'' said the late Bill Good, the Vancouver media legend who was covering his 42nd Brier.
"We've got Quebec and Newfoundland - teams that are very rarely in there at this stage of the game and not only that, they look like they belong. And New Brunswick is still up there. There's never been a Brier with those provinces all in the thick of it this late in the draw.
"This Brier has a lot going for it,'' continued the man they called Breathless. "It has one of the best buildings, if not the best we've ever had. The crowds have been great. And nobody knows who is going to win this thing. There's no knocking it.''
Then there was Jack Matheson of the Winnipeg Tribune, the man who ripped the 1973 Brier first and most frequently.
"This is 100 times better than 1973,'' said Matty, a man who was attending his 27th Brier. "That 1973 Brier had bad surroundings, nobody cared, it was won in a cake walk and it was the worst one I ever attended.
"This one hasn't been a classic because it's starting to look like nobody wants to win it. But it's a hell of a building, great ice and a lot of fun. On the other hand, the wave has got to go.''
From the 1973 Brier, which had no atmosphere, the AgriCom, a building seemingly built for curling if no other sport, especially with the Brier Patch mere steps away, provided a wonderful environment ... unless your name was Pat Ryan.
Ryan's Express was favored to win this Brier. Almost by acclamation.
When the provincial championships were decided, Edmonton fans looked at the rest of the rinks on the list and wondered "who are