Gushue rink storms back with critical wins in Brier action
Team N.L. wins both Wednesday matches
Brad Gushue's path to the Brier playoffs became a bit clearer on Wednesday, as the skip led his team to two wins in critical matches.
Team Newfoundland and Labrador scored a 5-4 win over British Columbia, and a 7-3 win over Quebec at the 2017 Tim Horton's Brier at Mile One Centre in St. John's.
Gushue, who led the evening match following a three-point fourth end, cemented the win with a steal of two points in the ninth.
"Hopefully we can have another day like we had today," Gushue said following the match. "I thought we came back after an emotional, intense game last night. And I thought we had a great day."
Brad Gushue talks to reporters after the win. Here's a quick clip from our chat. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbccurl?src=hash">#cbccurl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brier2017?src=hash">#Brier2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/ob5aQh6z81">pic.twitter.com/ob5aQh6z81</a>
—@Devin_HerouxGushue has now won three straight since a disappointing loss on Tuesday to Team Northwest Territories, that left many of his supporters stunned and worried the team could fizzle out.
On Tuesday night, Team N.L. dropped Brad Jacobs of Northern Ontario 7-5, and St. John's fans breathed a sigh of relief that the local favourites could still have a chance in the playoffs.
Newfoundland and Labrador is now standing at 6-2 in the tournament, tied for second place with Team Canada.
Only the top four teams make the playoffs.
Team NL wins!!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brier2017?src=hash">#Brier2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/x6ppPiZ3oR">pic.twitter.com/x6ppPiZ3oR</a>
—@geoffcbartlett"We're not looking ahead," Gushue said Wednesday night.
"We still got three games left. We got to win a couple of those just to get to the playoffs, so we can't look too far ahead."
His rink curled 87 per cent throughout the Wednesday night game, topping the Quebec team who curled at 78 per cent.
GUSHUE and crew win again. Here's the winner. Place is going wild again. NL now 5-2 at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brier2017?src=hash">#Brier2017</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbccurl?src=hash">#cbccurl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNL">@CBCNL</a> <a href="https://t.co/LvL6K2Huwh">pic.twitter.com/LvL6K2Huwh</a>
—@Devin_HerouxNewfoundland and Labrador needed an extra end to dispatch British Columbia earlier in the day.
Team N.L. led in early ends, but Team BC tied things up in the 10th, with officials called in to measure two inside stones at one point, ruling in favour of BC.
Gushue made a hit in the extra end to win the early match.
An Olympic gold medalist, winning the Brier has so far eluded Gushue — despite this year being his 14th appearance at the tournament.
After Wednesday's matches the playoff picture is much clearer, and Team N.L. is hoping it will clinch a playoff spot and keep its dreams of a Brier tankard alive.