Brad Gushue looks for record fifth Brier title Sunday night in London, Ont.
In front of what will be a boisterous crowd in London, Brad Gushue is looking to etch his name into the record books.
The 42-year-old Newfoundlander is looking to win a record fifth Tim Hortons Brier title as a skip, which would move him past some of the sports’ all-time greats.
After his victory over Manitoba in the 1-2 game Saturday night, he was asked if it would be on his mind in the championship game.
“It's an opportunity further for this team to win our first, that's more what I'm thinking about,” Gushue told the media post-game.
This year’s team has one new member in EJ Harnden, who took over as second in place of Brett Gallant.
Gushue was grateful for the rest, avoiding playing back-to-back over the weekend, but he feels having last rock is more crucial in tonight’s final.
“I think more so the hammer is important,” said Gushue. “We couldn't wrestle that away from Matt [Dunstone] that in that game. If we come up against them or Brandon [Bottcher] who likes to hit and play it open as well, we can control the game at the start and get a lead. I think it improves our odds of winning dramatically.”
This will be Gushue’s sixth final in the past eight years. He’s learned over time to be calm and composed on the sheet during close matches.
“If I look back at being in that same situation — maybe 15 years ago — probably the anxiety level would have been much harder and much higher,” said Gushue. “I probably overthrow a few rocks and you know, the last shot that I made there, if I overthrow that at all, it was never there. To just throw the perfect weight, you know I’m proud of that.”
A victory over the winner of Manitoba (Dunstone) and wild card one (Bottcher) would put him past legends Kevin Martin, Kevin Koe, Randy Ferbey and Ernie Richardson who all won the Brier four times as a skip.
Team Canada newcomer EJ Harnden is thrilled to be in this position, as he hasn’t won a title since 2013 when he played with Brad Jacobs and Northern Ontario.
“When I joined this team this year, I said, 'This is why I'm still playing because I want to win,’” said Harnden.
He added, “I feel like there's so much more that I want to do in this sport, and the Brier being at the pinnacle of that, not only would I take a lot of pride in winning the Brier but I've won one and the last one was 2013. I want at least one more and hopefully we can make that happen.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.