Penton: Brier features rare ‘grudge’ match

By Bruce Penton

Rarely, if ever, has a game at the Brier involving New Brunswick been must-see TV. But if you follow curling and are a dedicated viewer, it’s likely that last Saturday night’s battle in Lethbridge between James Gratton of New Brunswick and Brendan Bottcher of Edmonton, in the field representing Team Canada as defending champion, was one you wouldn’t want to have missed.

In a sport known for its pre- and post-game handshakes, its extreme sportsmanship and overall gentlemanly approach, usually followed by post-game mingling with the opposition over cool refreshments, this particular curling game had ‘grudge match’ written all over it.

Last December, you might recall, Bottcher’s long-time third, Darren Moulding, was basically fired from the team, after great success, including three Alberta titles and one Canadian championship. Reasons for his departure were vague, but it seems it was a matter of bad chemistry involving team personnel, not to mention concerns about how the business side of the team — money, baby, the root of all evil — was handled. The cut came with all the class of a clique of high school girls shunning one of their classmates.

To say there were hard feelings from the Moulding camp, harder than the granite used for curling stones, is an understatement. Bottcher tried to frame the split as a mutual decision, which Moulding immediately called “BS.” He said he was especially hurt about not being able to curl in his home-province Brier.

It didn’t take long, however, for Moulding to land on his feet and regain an opportunity to curl in the Lethbridge Brier. Gratton, who last year led the Brier standings in the early stages of the week, winning four of his first five games, juggled his team’s lineup to create an opening at third. It didn’t take Moulding long to accept the invitation from Gratton, who has represented New Brunswick 14 times. Gratton finished 4-4 last year, just missing the playoffs, and was 3-4 the year before, one win out of the playoffs. Perhaps the addition of Moulding will be enough to push the rink over the top this year.

Regardless, Moulding really only cared about winning one game — the one vs. Bottcher. As for post-game drinks? Not likely.

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Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca