The Brier: A look at tonight's 'Battle of Alberta'
Local teams struggle as Brier continues in Calgary
John Morris and Kevin Koe have been juggernauts in the curling world for years.
The are both from Calgary and both Brier champions, but at this year's tournament they are two skips just trying to find their groove.
But tonight they face off against one another in a game that Calgarians have been talking about for weeks.
It's being called the "Battle of Alberta" of curling — and here's why.
Team Canada's third Pat Simmons, second Carter Rycroft and lead Nolan Thiessen won the Brier last year in Kamloops to earn the right to play in this year's Brier as the defending champion. The skip Kevin Koe left the team and the remaining three recruited fellow Calgarian John Morris to skip the team.
Koe has a new team and won the right to represent Alberta. His team curls in Calgary at the same curling club as Morris and his crew.
"We've had two games against Koe's team this year, both went down to last rock. We won one. They won the other," said Morris. "It's going to be a battle. I'm looking forward to it and I know a lot of fans are in Alberta."
Glencoe Club connection
It's the first time in Brier history that two teams are curling out of the same club. Both Team Canada and Team Alberta practice at the Glencoe Club in Calgary.
Paul Webster is the curling director at the club and has known players from both teams for than 10 years.
"I want to cheer for the team that's going to win the whole event," said Webster. "These guys have done phenomenal work for our club. I just want them to both have great games."
Webster says members at the club who have gotten to know both teams are torn on which team to cheer for.
"They just love throwing rocks beside them. Sometimes members are playing games between Koe and Martin," said Webster. "That doesn't happen every day."
Teams struggling
Team Canada is struggling right now. With a 2-3 record tonight's game is nearly a must-win situation.
Alberta is quickly getting back on track after starting with two losses. Now with two straight wins, Koe and his crew have some momentum.
Morris knows it won't be easy.
"It's going to be heated. We're going to want to kick each other's butt out there. That makes the best games for you guys," he said.
The big question now is which team the Calgary crowd will cheer for tonight. Team Canada takes on Team Alberta at 6:30 p.m. MT Tuesday at the Saddledome.