Three-person Olympians defeat Saskatchewan to establish the Bottcher battle.
Despite playing against all odds, the Brad Gushue team has made it to Sunday’s Brier semifinal.
Geoff Walker, Brett Gallant, and Gushue won a 9-7 victory over Saskatchewan’s Colton Flasch. This match was a three versus 4.
Flasch acknowledged that it was a “great game.” Flasch said, “When you lose a game like that, you can accept it. You know you played well.” Even though you lose sometimes, it is still a good game. We played well.”
In the second half, Gushue broke the scoreless tie with an ankle tap and stick for 2. Regular third Mark Nichols, who was in his hotel room after his positive test, and was watching television on TV, immediately tweeted a series of fire emojis.
This was only the beginning.
Flasch scored a double in the fifth to tie the score at 2-2.
Gushue won the eighth game with a double for two and a 7-5 lead.
Michael Burns-Curling Canada
Nichols began a continuous commentary on issues (Stress, Enjoyment in Hotel Room) and coping mechanisms (Caffeine Consumption), which was numerically ranked.
Gushue was 7-6 down at the end and had to face a long angle raise for a Saskatchewan stone covered on the button. His Wild Card team had second and third shot stones but could not jam the runback.
Two-time Olympic gold medallist, he did it flawlessly, scoring three points for the victory of 9-7.
Flasch stated that Gushue’s dramatic 10th ending demonstrated the reason for his reputation.
Flasch said, “I made a great roll in mine, and Brad made an excellent hack-weighter that wasn’t easy, and he makes it all the way.” Flasch said, “He’s one the most respected players in the world.”
Gushue stated that Flasch was not easy on him as he attempted to throw his last stone.
Post game update
Stress 1/0
Excitement – 9174749/10
Fatigue – 9174749/10So proud of those guys!
@TeamGushue
— Mark Nichols (@MarkNichols_NL) March 12, 2022
Gushue said, “I was thinking, ‘damn you, Colton Flasch’ for making a perfect draw in your last one.” He made an amazing draw.
“Colton played very, very well that game. He placed it in the perfect spot. That was where we could score multiple points. I felt confident about the rock’s ability to do there, so I had to throw it well. It was thrown, and although I was a bit tighter than I would have liked, Brett kept it in place the entire time.
Gushue stated that it is still difficult to deliver precise shots when only three people.
Gushue stated, “You don’t need two men sweeping. You can’t steer a rock as you can. Like hold it straight or carve. “I had two great mixed doubles players. Although I can shift, it’s not the same as before. And obviously, we have lost what is arguably our best shooter. Mark is not there, however good Brett and Geoff may be, so no disrespect to them, or as little disrespect as possible.” He laughed, “They’re not Mark Nichols.”
Michael Burns-Curling Canada
Gushue had set expectations for the post-Olympics Brier but let them grow during their 8-0 round-robin performance. Gushue has returned to setting expectations lower for the three-player team. He described it as “playing hockey and killing penalties for 60 minutes.”
He stated that Mark’s chances of winning the thing went from high to low. “We’re realistic about what’s happening (Sunday).” “We will have to play spectacular and may have to make some unexpected misses because we aren’t as precise when there are four of us out there.”
Gushue will face Brendan Bottcher, the current champion, mid-day Sunday. The winner will then face Kevin Koe from Alberta in Sunday’s final.
Michael Burns-Curling Canada
Flasch, who is now packing up from Brier, says that the fourth-place performance of his team this week will increase expectations for them in the future.
Flasch said, “It just proves that we belong.” Flasch said, “We are a great team, and everyone understands it now.”
