(by Larry Wood)
But there was no such unwillingness on Sunday morning at the Credit Union Centre.
Both teams — the Territories and Manitoba — expressed a strong interest in heading home from the 83rd Brier, not with fourth place but with a tertiary finish and a medal. And that interest showed.
Team Manitoba celebrates after winning the Bronze Medal at the 2012 Tim Hortons Brier. (Photo: CCA/Michael Burns Photography)
At the end of a well-played match, Manitoba’s Rob Fowler of Brandon emerged an 8-7 victor against Jamie Koe of the Territories with an open draw to the four-foot in an extra end.
It was see-saw all the way with spectacular shots accentuating the action. From the moment Manitoba was forced to accept a single with last rock in the first end, control changed hands no less than five times.
“We got a prize there that money can’t buy,” said Fowler, whose team of Allan Lyburn, Richard Daneault and Derek Samagalski won $30,000 for the victory.
“To go home without a medal considering the week we had here would have been disappointing. Money comes and goes but we’ll have that bronze medal forever.
“Sure that game meant something to us. I think it speaks to our team. We handled ourselves in a classy manner all week and today was no different.