'playing the best you play
anticipating the greatest of victories to come
to be pummeled by greatness'
That is my first haiku ever...let alone my first curling haiku. In that charged final between Koe and Gushue, it was neck and neck the whole way and needing the steal in 8 to win it, Gushue had it set up as good as he could have, leaving Koe a low percentage in/off to secure the win. And wouldn't you know it, Koe made it and won the Canadian Open. And he deserved to win because of it but I cannot take it away from Tean Gushue, this squad has come into their own and they are playing good curling these days. If the curling haters out there don't think there is drama in the Roaring Game, they know nothing of the sport because that final is about as good as it is going to get.
But there is also shades of greatness in the Thursday Mens as well. There were lots good games played. Here's the results I know about:
Andrew Roberts vs Yvon Valiquette. Win for Valiquette
Tod Swan vs Dave Mitchell. WIN for Mitchell
Francois Lemieux vs Bob Villeneuve. WIN for Villeneuve
Rick Berthelot vs Craig Roberts. WIN for Roberts
Ben Lemieux vs Al Viel. WIN for Viel
Glen Austin vs Chris Zagar. WIN for Austin
Dan Berthelot vs John Hammond. WIN for Hammond
Brian Tonelli vs Jim Kendrick. WIN for Kendrick
FEATURE GAME: Kendrick vs Tonelli. Quite likely a candidate for the longest game in recorded history, this match was a squeaker all the way through and came down to the last stone. Our Friendly Giant had last rock in the 8th (the score was tied) and had a take out to win it all. However, his rock over curled a bit and that was the end of it. Team Kendrick posted the win. Team Kendrick is one of those teams that certainly has the potential to be among those at the top of the leader board. Jim Kendrick is a solid player and he has Dennis Roberts as his third. In the front end, they have newer curler Matt Gosselin and at second they have Darren Rainville. Darren has been in the game for a few years now and he can make alot of shots. So, it will be no surprise to anyone if this squad moves through the leader board and finds itself near the top.
IMPROVED PLAYER: Hassan Azzi. I played against Hassan and the Craig Roberts rink (I spared for Rick Berthelot) last Thursday, Hassan makes alot of shots in the lead position. He has good control of his weight and is mastering the art of hitting the broom. Hassan is also a solid sweeper. When he is asked to sweep, every ounce of his being appears to go into every brush stroke. Awesome improvement.
ANOTHER IMPROVED PLAYER: Kyle Murray. Kyle is quickly becoming a fantastic lead. His weight is super-consistent and as far as sweeping skills, if left alone, this guy could take it down to the cement! Hard on the broom head perhaps, but easy on the skipper!
ANOTHER AWESOME LEAD!: Nick Roscoe. In our game last Thursday, against Team Zagar, I noticed the consistent shot-making by Nick Roscoe. Absolutely first rate weight control. This guy was in it the whole way and put rocks in play for his skip every single end. This guy is an excellent lead.
So that's it for another Thursday. With December just around the corner, there are several teams that are either undefeated or right up there near the top of the leader board. It is getting interesting now to see how the leader board is looking at the Xmas break. lots of matches to go yet but teams are making their marks already.
Rock On!
The Curling Chronic
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