Wild card combatants are Brier contenders
To get a sense of just how strong a matchup is in store for the Brier wild card game, consider the combatants actually met in the semifinal last year in Regina.
Toronto’s John Epping and Edmonton’s Brendan Bottcher have two of the best teams in Canada, but only one of them will play on into the Brier after Friday night in Brandon, Man.
This is precisely why the wild card game was introduced last year. You’ve got two teams that were unable to win their provinces and not only deserve to be in the Brier, but are strong contenders. Epping is third in the Canadian Team Ranking System — behind Brier favourites Kevin Koe and Brad Jacobs — while Bottcher is fourth. They are both ahead of two-time defending champion Brad Gushue.
“Brendan lost the final last year (to Gushue) and we lost the semifinal,” Epping said. “Whoever wins this is going to be a favourite to do some damage this week and I just hope it’s us.”
Though still in its infancy, the wild card game has became an instant success. At the recent Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Sydney, N.S., the game between Kerri Einarson and Casey Scheidegger was an intense matchup played in front of a full house. Admission was free — as it is in Brandon — and that created an outstanding atmosphere.
“I was there in the stands and got to see it,” said Epping, who was coaching Kerry Galusha’s N.W.T. team at the Scotties.
It certainly has all the intensity of a final, given that one team will stay in Brandon for 10 days and have a chance to compete for the Brier title, while the other will go home. It has been nicknamed “The suitcase game” because teams have to pack to be prepared for either eventuality.
“It’s crazy that you’re packing for 10 days but you might only be there for two,” said Epping, who curls with Mathew Camm, Brent Laing and Craig Savill. “You’ve got to prepare like you’re gonna be there for the whole thing.”
Koe, Jacobs, Gushue, Manitoba’s Mike Mcewen and the wildcard winner are all among the favourites to win the Brier. There are others with outside chances, but the odds are the winner will be one of those five teams.