Well, it is finally game time at the Tim Hortons Brier in Halifax! With all the schmoozing and pomp and circumstance past, the first draw is seeing an interesting set of match-ups.

We have a lot of Brier rookies in this field and several are on the ice right now……. BC’s Jeff Richard vs the experienced Jeff Stoughton team. The first Jeff is here to play to their very best (and to make team, family, province, and, of course, Dad!). The second Jeff is here to wreak havoc on the opposition and get revenge for the “hard-to-forget” loss in the 2005 Olympic Trials on the Halifax Metro Centre ice.

Representing Nova Scotia, Ian Fitzner LeBlanc (at 25) is probably nervous on his first draw at the Tim Hortons Brier – finally at the “Big Show” that he has been dreaming about since he first threw a curling stone. And his team are rookies, with the exception of his third Stuart MacLean – who finally made it back to a Brier as a player after a looooonnnng period – since 1988 to be exact! Almost twice Ian’s age, Stuart brings a wealth of experience to the team, a calming steady influence and he and his wife (Carole Anne) definitely can give tutorials on all that goes on at a Brier outside the field of play.

Meanwhile James Grattan of New Brunswick is back at it again and ready to “give-er” - and as I type this they are definitely doing that to Fitzner-LeBlanc with the score of 6-1 after 5 ends. With Steve Howard playing third (and sounding just like Dad out on the ice ) New Brunswick could be a dark horse in this showdown.

Another sheet sees another Brier rookie in Kevin Koe – finally here after so very many valiant tries to get out of his home province. Alberta is an extremely tough province to win…… however, this year’s Olympic Gold Medallists created an opening that a few teams were eager to take advantage of. I believe Kevin Koe’s experience in the World Curling Tour Grand Slam events have given him an extra shot of confidence and honed his shot making skills as well. And the team in front of him is not too shabby either!!

And Northern Ontario brings some fresh faces to the Halifax Metro Centre ice – but two of the names are from a long standing Sault Ste. Marie curling family – the Harndens. (Only someone doing the lettering on one of the Harnden teeshirts turned it into “Hamden”!)

Then we have the 2006 Olympic Gold Medallist team of Brad Gushue back to prove his time on Halifax ice was not a one shot deal. With Jamie sporting a sexy new mohawk (did I just say “sexy”?!!), they’re here to clear away the murkiness of the field and get to the final four. But giving them a great game on this opening draw is Jamie Koe. Don’t count out this Yukon/NWT from Yellowknife – if they curl consistently they could just be another on my Dark Horse list.

Will be sending reports as frequently as possible but must go do my other volunteer job for Draw #2 – doing stats. It is difficult to write and score at the same time – some officials might frown on this just a wee bit.

Off the the Patch soon – so great to see the regulars and old friends from past Briers!

Meg Wallace

for CurlingZone.com