Brier Predictions and Insights

Brad Gushue. He's been to every Brier since Halifax 2003. I was there and it was the beginning of a dynasty. Since then, Brad has won a gold medal at the Olympics, he's made a couple Brier semi-finals and even a Brier final but the Brier win has eluded him. I have rooted for him every year, every tournament, not only because he is a fellow Newfoundlander, but because he has invested his life into the Roaring Game. There are some circles where Brad Gushue is not popular and that's all well and good, but the simple fact remains that Brad Gushue is extremely talented and can play with the best of them. And he will have to play his best in this year's Brier because there is a very talented field to contend with. Let's have a look at them:

BC: Andrew Bilesky. I cannot say that I have heard of this squad but they beat some good teams to get to the big show, like Team Cotter. I don't see them in the playoffs at the end of the week.

AB: Kevin Martin. Once again, the Old Bear has shown that his squad still has the stuff. And he's right. This team is super tough and I like them. They will definitely be there at the end of the week and certainly have the potential to win it all.

SK: Brock Virtue. The curling "bad boys". Chris Schille plays on this team and was ejected from a game at the provincials for swearing too much. Brock Virtue has a reputation for being a hothead. But don't get me wrong, this is a tough crew and Virtue has been knocking on the Brier door for some time now but he will have to reign his emotions in if he expects to make it to the playoffs.

MB: Jeff Stoughton. No surprise there...a real contender to win the Brier as well and he beat some real good teams in the provincials to get to the big show.

ONT: Glen Howard. Team Howard continues to be one of the dominant teams both in his province and on the WCT. This squad has the capacity to pull out the wins when the chips are down. I fully expect to see them in the playoffs and big potential to win it all.

N ONT: Brad Jacobs. Excellent team. This squad has been dedicated and deserve to be at the Brier. They have worked hard and honed their skills and have the ability to beat every team out there. They have put Northern Ontario curling back on the map. Not since the days of Al Hackner has such a powerhouse come from this neck of the woods. They will be there at the end of the week.

PQ: Jean Michel Menard. This team has been to the big show a couple times before and Menard is a Brier Champion. But, I don't see them in the playoffs at the end of the week.

NB: James Grattan. Has been to more Briers than Kellogg's has corn flakes. It makes you wonder if there are more than 4 male curlers in New Brunswick. This squad are comprised of good players but they do not compete much on the WCT and I think this is to their detriment. I do not expect them to make it to the playoffs.

PEI: Eddie MacKenzie. Eddie has been to the Brier before and I am just over the moon that it is not Rod MacDonald for the 50th time. Eddie will have a hard time playing against the tough teams. They do not compete much outside the province and I think this will hurt their chances on making it to the play offs.

NS: Paul Flemming. Paul has been to a few Briers, sometimes as skip and sometimes as vice. But, I have not seen them competing too  much against the big teams. I have heard several women say that they like his eyes but I cannot see this helping him on the ice! His experience will help him but I cannot see him getting to a play off spot.

NL: Brad Gushue. Brad Gushue has had a dynasty in curling out of the province of NFLD. Many will say that his constant team line up changes has hurt him in the long run. Perhaps that is true. Many will say that he may be hard to play for. Once again, that may be true. BUT, Brad Gushue has put in the time and effort. He has been a presence on the WCT and he can beat all the big boys. In fact, many consider him to be one of the Big Boys. Undoubtedly, Brad Gushue is an excellent curler and his current crew have grown. I could easily see him getting to a playoff spot and if they play to their potential, they could win the whole thing.

NT: Jamie Koe. Hello, hello, hello.....are there any more curlers in the territories??!! Don't get me wrong, I like Jamie Koe. I have enjoyed many of his games and who doesn't root for the underdog but they don't seem to compete much on the big stage and it consistently hurts them at the big show. Most likely not a contender for the play offs.

PREDICTIONS: You might recall that my predictions for the STOH were right on the money...right down to Homan going to the Worlds. This, however, is much more difficult I find. The obvious top three will be Howard, Martin and Stoughton. I fully expect to see them in the playoffs at the end of the week. That 4th spot is tough. It is between Gushue, Virtue and Jacobs. I have to give it to Jacobs. The final, Martin vs Jacobs and Jacobs wins. This is a bit of an idealistic outcome but you cannot deny the ability of the Jacobs team. They have given the game their all and I am thinking their time has come.

So, when Saturday comes and the Big Show begins, keep an eye on these predictions and let's see where it all ends up when the smoke settles.

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic