Koe stays unbeaten at the Brier with a victory over Howard

Key takeaways: 

• Dunstone, Grattan, Flasch also pick up victories.
• On Sunday, Team Alberta captain Kevin Koe creates an attempt at the Tim Hortons Brier in Lethbridge, Alta. 

The debate is continued with every mediocre showing at a prominent international curling event. What should Curling Canada do to provide the Maple Leaf is on top of the podium? Critics inevitably shift to what they feel is wrong with the national playdowns, which define the nation’s representatives for the world titles.

Well, the return of the Tim Hortons Brier – in nearly all of its usual pre-pandemic glory – indicates that the federation has an exquisite piece of sporting Canadiana that maybe should be left alone and enjoyed.

“You’ve got individuals from all over the nation reaching in,” said Wild Card Two skip Matt Dunstone. “The crowd has been wild. They’re exhilarating for and against people, and that’s the form sports should be.”

The venue was near capacity for most ties over the opening weekend. The closeby party barn – “The Patch” – has been swinging into the little hours on a nightly basis.

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Capacity limitations were lately raised in Alberta, fixing the familiar feel of the national men’s curling championship after previous year’s spectator-free edition in the Calgary bubble.

The Brier and Scotties Tournament of Hearts are up there with Grey Cup week as famous long-running domestic sporting events that have got together fans from across the nation for decades.

One glimpse near the Enmax Centre, and you’ll see viewers sporting colors and waving flags from all the regional and territorial access. It’s a Roaring Game love-in that always has its tradition despite some tinkering in recent years.

“Not just do you get a lot of ultimate teams here, but you also get the regional [and territorial] pride,” said Alberta lead Ben Hebert. “And you see a lot of individuals here from the Yukon; you see the New Brunswick team here. It’s cool.” 

Source – cbc.ca