Before perhaps bringing a little East Coast charm to this winter’s Brier in Ottawa, Brad Gushue stopped by for an early delivery this weekend to neighbouring Gatineau.
The Newfoundland and Labrador skip and his rink of lead Geoff Walker, second [P.E.I. native] Brett Gallant and long-time friend and teammate, third Mark Nichols, took home the title Sunday at the World Curling Tour’s Challenge Chateau Cartier de Gatineau.
Brad Gushue & Co. went a perfect 7-0 at the World Curling Tour’s Challenge Chateau Cartier de Gatineau.
The St. John’s team topped off a perfect 7-0 bonspiel with a 6-1 win over Ontario, represented by Sarnia skip Mark Bice, lead Steve Bice, second Tyler Morgan and third Aaron Squires.
“The ice this week was incredible, so we felt really comfortable, had our draw weight, and generally when we have our draw weight, we play really good,” said Gushue, minutes after the teams shook hands following six ends.
The $12,000 win pads Gushue’s total on the World Curling Tour money list to nearly $70,000, well ahead of Alberta’s Kevin Koe ($48,500).
Bice slipped into the final with a 5-4 win over P.E.I.’s Adam Casey in the semis. Bice, with the hammer, scored two in the final end to secure the win.
Gushue hopes to return to the national capital area in March. He said Ottawa is a great choice to be the Brier host, something it hasn’t been since 2001.