Gushue closing in on Brier berth
N.L. rivals unsung, but ‘they can play’
Brad Gushue has won the Newfoundland and Labrador curling title in every season since 2007, but never has the pressure to repeat as provincial champion been greater than this year.
Gushue would love nothing more than to win his first Brier in his hometown of St. John’s, N.L., this March. But to book a berth in the national championship, he’ll need to win this week’s provincial playdowns at the Bally Haly Country Club.
The top-ranked Gushue will be a heavy favourite in the five-team field when play begins Thursday.
“Even though we’re going to play against some teams that people across the country may have never heard of, they can play, they can compete,” Gushue said. “And if we don’t show up and play or take them for granted, they could beat us.”
Gushue is still not quite in top physical form due to a hip injury that kept him off the ice for the first few months of the season. He returned in early December and reached the semifinals at the National before winning the Canadian Open this month in North Battleford, Sask.
“I felt comfortable really quick,” Gushue said of his latest performance. “Really, right from the get-go I felt pretty confident in the ice and how I was throwing it. Then all of the sudden you get more and more confidence and it feels like you’re getting your mojo back.”
Most of the pain has gone away and now Gushue is working on improving his strength. He will also continue his regular physiotherapy and massage therapy sessions.
While it was tough to be away earlier in the season, Gushue said there were some positives to taking time off.
“Going into the second half of the season, I feel much more energized at this point than I ever have in my career,” he said in a recent interview from St. John’s. “Generally, come Christmastime, you’re just anxious to get away from the game and try to recharge the batteries for the second half of the year, whereas this year, I was itching to get back at it.”
Gushue added he feels mentally sharper on the ice. He also discovered he really missed the sport when he was out of action.
“I love the game and it really showed me that I still have the drive to compete,” he said.