Official GO BRAD GUSHUE Thread!

[Newfie John]

I don't know if this new forum is for hockey only so move it to the lounge if the moderating team wishes. Team Canada(Newfoundland rink) are now 3-1 after they just beat Switzerland in a gritty come from behind win. The Swiss stole 3 after Gushue's rock picked, but then they scored one with the hammer then scored 3 straight. Finally the swiss managed to score one with their hammer, and Gushue put the final touches on the win with the single point in the 10th. I was watching the Sweden game in school yesterday with a few of the teachers in the staff lounge(hehe.. being friends with teachers has its advantages) and one of them pointed out that if we win it'll be "Yay Canada!". If we lose it'll be.. "Stupid Newfies". All I could do was laugh, but a lot of people carry that sentiment. I bet Lankhof has that sentiment, the bastard.

Go Canada Go

[leaferfan87]

Who is Lankhof?

[Newfie John]

Idiot writer for the Sun.

[J.R.]

They've lost one game already. :rolleyes: Ferbey's rink should've represented Canada.

[Newfie John]

Well maybe if they could have won the trials they'd be there. They're tied for first place right now by the way.

[KB in Kelowna]

They've lost one game already. :rolleyes: Ferbey's rink should've represented Canada.

right by that logic then Denver or Indianapolis should have gone to the Superbowl?

[J.R.]

right by that logic then Denver or Indianapolis should have gone to the Superbowl?
That's right. Or Tampa Bay or New York or Washington or Chicago or Carolina or Jacksonville or Cincinatti or New England.

Actually they're two seperate statements.

They better win Gold or I will lynch that second most non-Canadian province. :wicked:

[Newfie John]

There was the logic I was talking about. It's "Yay Canada" if they win. It's "Stupid Newfies" if we lose.

[butterfly_style]

I have to say, for me . . . either way, it's "Stupid Newfies"

[Newfie John]

Sometimes I can't tell if you're joking or not, this is one of them.

[The Insider]

The team is tied for the top spot of the tournament right now and have won 4 straight after dropping their first game. It's good to see the guys with the good showing so far and hopefully can keep it up and bring home the Gold :thumb: Although regardless of how they turn out, they are Canada's best and proved it at the trials and clearly earned their spot in the Olympics, so there is no reason why anyone should say anything about them losing cause they're newfies.

[butterfly_style]

Sometimes I can't tell if you're joking or not, this is one of them.
Sorry Johnnie, shoulda put in the smilies.

My grandmother was from Cornerbrook.
My mom was from Moncton.
My parents met at St. FX
I was born in Campbellton, NB.

So, I'm 1/4 newf myself . . .but 100% eastener

[Newfie John]

No worries.

Anyways, back to curling.

Gushue plays today against Finland. I thought TSN was going to show it but they're showing skiing longjump?

[J.R.]

After back-to-back losses, it's awfully quiet in here.

Gushue controls playoff destiny
CBC Sports (http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/sports/curling/stories/index.shtml?/story/olympics/national/2006/02/19/Sports/gushue060219.html)

Brad Gushue of St. John's easily humbled New Zealand 9-1 in seven ends on Sunday.

Canada's Brad Gushue is breathing a bit easier in the men's curling competition at the Torino Olympic Winter Games.

Gushue, who curls out of St. John's, needed just seven ends Sunday to beat Sean Becker of New Zealand 9-1 at Pinerolo, Italy.

Gushue improved to 5-3 overall through 11 draws and currently sits fourth behind Finland (7-2), Great Britain (6-3) and the United States (6-2), all three of whom have qualified for the playoffs.

The top four teams advance to the medal round with first-ranked rink facing the fourth and the second taking on the third.

Canada can advance with a win over the U.S. on Monday. Should Canada lose, they will be tied with Norway (5-4) and the winner of Monday's Switzerland-Italy contest.

If necessary, a tie-breaker to determine the final playoff spot would be held on Tuesday.

Gushue scored single points in first, second and fourth ends before blowing it open with back-to-back threes in the sixth and seventh.

Becker, still winless at 0-8, counted one in the fifth.
I doubt Gushue will be able to beat the Americans tommorow, so it looks like they'll have to win the tiebreaker to just qualify for the playoff round. I don't remember Alberta's Kevin Martin struggling like this in 2002.

[KB in Kelowna]

After back-to-back losses, it's awfully quiet in here.


.
sort of like Shea Stadium in October isn't it?:nod:

[Newfie John]

I was stranded in St. Johns for the last 2 days, thats why I haven't been active. lol. Gushue has to get his confidence back. Hopefully the blowout against New Zealand will help. Have to beat those Americans. They can do it if they play the way they are capable of. The way they've been playing is no where near normal.

[Newfie John]

Canada beat the US today in a convincing 6-3 victory.

[butterfly_style]

Most excellent.
Does that mean we are automatically in the medal round ?

[Newfie John]

Yeah. I like our chances at gold now.

[J.R.]

Canada beat the US today in a convincing 6-3 victory.
I wouldn't describe that as a convincing win. They did trail 3-2 in the seventh end. We'll see how they do against the fired-up Americans next time.

[Newfie John]

To score 4 points at crunch time in a game that pretty much decided their fate is pretty convincing if you ask me.

[leaferfan87]

He gets the US in the semis. Good luck Brad!

[Newfie John]

They beat the "fired up" Americans 11-5 today to advance to the gold medal game Friday, 1 oclock NST, or 11:30 for most of you. Looks like no school for me that day.

[butterfly_style]

They beat the "fired up" Americans 11-5 today to advance to the gold medal game Friday, 1 oclock NST, or 11:30 for most of you. Looks like no school for me that day.
You must be soooo proud.

Gushue scored five in the 9th to force the US to their knees.
US skip yells "uncle", I mean I concede.

[J.R.]

They're proving me wrong, since they're now guarenteed a medal.

Good luck in the final.

[leaferfan87]

Against which nation does Gushue play against?

[Newfie John]

Finland. Not going to be easy. I can't see Marku being as good as he was in the RR though. He couldn't miss.

[wildboy26]

GO BRAD! WIN THE FINAL! I watched his semi yesterday, he was awesome. I cant see Finland beating him if he plays that well. He should love his playoff draw, U.S in the semis, Finland in the final; Norway, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland all AWOL before the playoffs, that is a dream draw for anybody.

[Newfie John]

Our government is shutting down school at 11 tomorrow so we can go home and watch the game! If we win the gold, it'll probably be a provincial holiday. Hell Yes!

[J.R.]

Our government is shutting down school at 11 tomorrow so we can go home and watch the game!:conspire:

Are you kidding?

[Newfie John]

:conspire:

Are you kidding?

Dead serious. I couldn't believe it when the announcement came. The last Newfoundlander to win a medal in the Olympics was in 76, with the mens hockey team. This is a huge deal here.

[Max Power]

We all know it's just an excuse to shut down early on a Friday so newfies can all drink and party earlier. =]
I really like the fact that they?re doing that... It's a very personable thing the government is doing and can only bring people together

[Newfie John]

We all know it's just an excuse to shut down early on a Friday so newfies can all drink and party earlier. =]


Well, thats my plan while watching the game.:nod:

[PDO]

Well, thats my plan while watching the game.:nod:

That's the only way curling is exciting ;).

Best of luck to Gushue, it'd be nice to see Canada win gold here..

[The Insider]

Well, I guess unless something big happens on Saturday, this appears to be our last opportunity for another Gold in the 2006 Olympics. This is probably going to be the most exciting gold-medal game for a Canadian team in this year's olympics and hopefully Brad does us all proud. I get to watch the game since I was able to get the 24th off in hopes of a big semi-final showdown... but watching them go for the gold medal will be just as enjoyable and I, much like all of Newfoundland, will be watching intently tommorow.

[Newfie John]

Burke closes schools for curling final
Last updated Feb 23 2006 12:14 PM NST
CBC News
The Newfoundland and Labrador government is closing schools early Friday, so students can watch the Canadian men's curling team compete for a gold medal.

Education Minister Joan Burke said Thursday that schools across the province will be dismissed at lunchtime Friday so they can watch the St. John's based Brad Gushue rink compete in the Olympic curling final.


Joan Burke

Burke said buses will be ready to take children home early.

"It's a historic moment for Newfoundland and Labrador," she said.

"[We] certainly want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to see the game. It's exciting for the young people of this province."

The Gushue rink faces Finland in the curling final at 1 p.m. NT, 12:30 p.m. in most of Labrador.

FROM FEB. 22, 2006: Gushue to face Finland for Torino gold
The game will be carried on CBC Television.

Burke said while schools could have arranged to have children watch the game on television, buses would have arrived during the final ends.

"Schoolchildren just can't walk out of school and declare a holiday. We have to do that for them," Burke said.

Only a few hours away!

GO BRAD! GO MARK! GO JAMIE! GO RUSS!

[J.R.]

So how many children are unsafely home alone this afternoon, because their parents are at work? Bad idea.

[butterfly_style]

So how many children are unsafely home alone this afternoon, because their parents are at work? Bad idea.
In Newfoundland ????

[THE HACK]

Bad idea to let the kids stay home but on the bright side they're watching Canada lead 4-3 in the 6th!:) Get out the beers and chicken wings kiddies [j/k]

Go Canada!

Cheers

[butterfly_style]

Gushue scores 6 in the 6th . . . WooHoo

[butterfly_style]

GOLD for GUSHUE.

Screech and Cod for all

[charlio lemieux]

6 in one end. Very impressive.
Way to Go Brad!!!

[Madferret]

Nice one Gush. Congratulations NJ and all your fellow Newfies..

[J.R.]

Finland played awful, but credit to Gushue's group for taking advantage and playing consistantly well. Good job, mates!

[Newfie John]

YESS!!! So proud of the guys. I wonder what Stoughton is thinking now. I'd like to see what Lankhof will write now. Congrats guys on being the best in the world. George Street will be rocking tonight!!

[butterfly_style]

Excellent . . .have one for me, Johnnie.

[Newfie John]

Anyone catch Gushue after the game when he was interviewed? He was crying and he said " I feel like a sook". I was wondering how many people have no idea what that means. How many of you did? I've said it a few times.

Oh and BS, I'll have one for you... and everyone else that I can think of.

[Amoroq]

Anyone catch Gushue after the game when he was interviewed? He was crying and he said " I feel like a sook". I was wondering how many people have no idea what that means. How many of you did? I've said it a few times.

Oh and BS, I'll have one for you... and everyone else that I can think of.What a sucky baby ;) Congrats to the Canadian mens team, job well done. :)

[The Insider]

Congrats to the Olympic champions. What an amazing game for the boys as their draws and takeouts were amazing, especially that shot in the 6th end that basically cleared the board for the Finns and earned us the big 6 points. An additional congrats goes out to Newfoundland who get their first Olympic medallist since the '94 games and I'm sure this gold medal will be remembered to the kids in Newfoundland as many people remember the '72 Summit series.

Hell of a job :thumb:

[Newfie John]

Nichols made those shots. He's an amazing shotmaker. The Bluestar went down good tonight. I'm home now for the after party!! GO GUSHUE! The Brier is next, kick some ass there!

[Madferret]

John boy you haven't passed out yet?

[a4l]

Congrats to the mens team that was a great win. NJ whatare you doing home? You should be partying your face off.

[Amoroq]

The province of Newfoundland is so excited about this gold medal, that they are going to have it bronzed. ;)


Sorry John, it was impossible to resist.

[Newfie John]

Congrats to the mens team that was a great win. NJ whatare you doing home? You should be partying your face off.

Don't worry, I took care of that.:nod:

From TSN: The Rock Is Rockin

I doubt that when Brad Gushue fired his first curling stone many years ago that he ever envisioned a holiday in his honour. But it appears he created one, or at least half of a day, as the province is gripped with "Gushue Mania".

It's not called Brad Gushue Day yet, but the Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Education Joan Burke cancelled classes across the province on Friday and gave the students the afternoon off so kids could watch the whole match without having to leave to catch a school bus during the final ends. Her timing proved prophetic as Gushue got his six points around 3 o'clock Newfoundland time, and was crowned Olympic champion just as they would have been on those school buses.

Gushue and his rink of Mark Nichols, Jamie Korab, and import of sorts from New Brunswick, via Ontario, Russ Howard, and spare but original team member Mike Adam, have created perhaps the biggest buzz in the history of the province.

Bigger than 1497, that's when explorer John Cabot discovered the friendly province.

Bigger than 1949, which is when this province joined Confederation - while that was a very big deal it wasn't unanimous. The vote to join Canada under Joey Smallwood was 51 percent to 49 percent.





I'm sure the figure was 100% behind this rink as they took Olympic gold. And the boys from the rock did it with a 10-4 win over Finland to take Canada's first ever men's Olympic gold in curling.

Olympic medals are a rarity in this island province. In most cases there simply isn't enough sports infra-structure for major competition, and Newfoundland has not produced many athletes who even went to an Olympic Games, much less win a medal. I can't think too many who competed for the gold.

This is different. Sure, it's called Team Canada but the bulk of that team comes from Newfoundland and this rink has become the biggest thing ever in the province. Yes, ever.

I've lived in six provinces across this great land, with nearly ten of my years spent in Newfoundland - or The Rock, as it is affectionately called - and I'm convinced that no people party better and harder than those in this province. This party that started sometime this week will probably not finish for a few days after the team comes home, which is scheduled for Monday night.

It's been Gushue Mania for most of the Olympics and it just started to peak when the people of Newfoundland realized that this rink will come home with a medal. Silver would have been appreciated but, as the fairy tale story turned out, it was gold - or as the TSN.ca headline stated, "Golden Gushue".

Newfoundlanders and the Olympics are not synonymous. In fact, Gushue (and his rink) become only the second Newfoundlers to win a medal at the Winter Games. Dwayne Norris of St. John's won a silver medal with the hockey team at the 1994 Lillehammer Games. Maria Maunder of Outer Cove (yes, this province has many colourful names) won a rowing silver medal at the Atlanta Summer Olympics 10 years ago.

Andrew Crosby, born in Ontario but a St. John's resident since 1996, won rowing gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, and curler Don Bartlett, who was born in Gander but moved away when he was a teenager, was part of Kevin Martin's silver medal-winning curling team in Salt Lake City.

If one wants to really go back for a "Newfie Connection" Harry Watson was another St. John's native who moved away early and was a member of the hockey team which won gold at the 1924 Olympics.

So just how big is the Gushue rink and what about that final game? "Win or lose it's like, where were you in 1972?" says Chris Green a gentlemen in his 50's who lives in Corner Brook and remembers the Team Canada-Russia series. "This is the biggest thing to hit the province. Schools are closed and some radio commentators are, on open line shows, trying to tell those who may watch the game on TV for the first time ever, about Russ Howard and his screaming. We don't want kids to be afraid when Russ starts to yell 'hurry'or 'hurry hard'."

Several politicians have used the line over the last few days that win or lose; this is one of the most defining moments in the history of Newfoundland and Labrador.

While many Canadians do not necessary associate curling success and this province there have been some terrific curling moments.

In 1976 Newfoundland won its first and only Brier with Jack McDuff as the skip. In fact, there is a McDuff connection to the team as Toby MacDonald, who was on the McDuff rink, is the coach of the Gushue team and it seems he talks to Jack on a very regular basis.

Also, the province has won the last two seniors national championships with Baz Buckle as the skip.

Hotels, bars and restaurants across the province are decorated with either curling paraphernalia or Brad Gushue posters. Many restaurants are offering curling specials, hooking up big screen TV's and welcoming people to watch that Olympic final.

Mile One Stadium in St. John's, the home town of the boys, drew a good crowd for the final game. In fact there is a big bonspiel going at the stadium with the Canadian Masters and as Sandy Best, from Mile One, told TSN.ca, "Some are watching the game on the ice and the Olympic game on the big screen."

Best says it is one of "best days for the province."

In fact, one of the leading radio stations in the province, VOCM, had reports going to their afternoon open line show with host Bill Rowe and the reporter, Dale Fry, was telling the audience that even the curlers on ice were watching the screen following their shots. "So they are playing a game and watching one at the same time," according to Fry.

Masters of Curling chairman Gary Stamp says the curlers were pleased they'd be able to see the game and show their support for the Gushue rink.

Gushue's high school alma mater is O'Donel High in Mount Pearl, a suburb of St. John's. The game was shown on a big screen in the gym and principal, Mike Sutton, says it was be a great afternoon.

They've been partying at the St. John's Curling Club for a few days and went wild when Gushue got six in the sixth end. The home town club for the team will be the backdrop of one of many big parties for Team Gushue from now until the team returns.

The big university in the city, Memorial, got involved as they showed the game on a big screen at the Field House. The event was free and open for students, alumni and the university community as several members of the Gushue team are MUN alumni.

Harbour Grace, Nfld. mayor Don Coombs said all are welcome to their town for a big celebration during and after the game. Coombs says many residents were going to gather together and enjoy fish and brews while watching the game and he said anyone is invited to share in the excitement.

According to VOCM reports, Labrador City Mayor Graham Letto says residents in Labrador City and Wabush were invited to the local curling club to watch the game on a big screen. In fact "big screens" may be the most used word today.

The Premier of the province, Danny Williams, who is in Ottawa today for federal talks, says he is so proud of the Brad Gushue rink. According to the VOCM radio website, the premier called Gushue in Italy this morning to talk to him. Williams says Gushue and his team are real role models.

Like many, I watched the game on TV, but I also tuned into VOCM (Voice of the Common Man) radio station on-line. They are a giant in broadcasting in the province and especially the city.

They have an open line show and most of the afternoon they had reports from a reporter at Mile One stadium and callers from all over the province talked about the team and the game. Fans at Mile One watched the sixth end and realized what could happen. "The crowd went nuts when Gushue missed his last shot of the sixth end, scoring six," according to the radio report.

To the people of this province, this was a total provincial if not a Maritime or Atlantic win. Gushue is from St. John's and Korab is from Harbour Grace but Mike Adam, who made the sacrifice to step aside and allow Russ Howard to join the team, along with double-takeout wizard Mark Nichols, is from Labrador.

"This is one for the entire province," said one of the people that I spoke to at Mile One stadium.

It is indeed a golden day for Newfoundland and Labrador. Olympic Gold.

The party has begun. The Rock is rockin'.

For TSN.ca I'm Alex J.Walling

Alex J.Walling can be reached via email at: ajw@eastlink.ca


I wish it wasn't snowing like hell here right now.

[J.R.]

This feels like a win for N.F. & Lab., not Canada. That's what I was concerned about. Maybe they should seperate. :slant: ;)

[Newfie John]

If we had anything less you would have said they shouldn't be there. Most of Canada put this team down, while the Newfoundlanders cheered them on. So its hard not to feel a victory for Newfoundland here.

Also, since this is one of the very few medals that come to Newfoundland, its another reason for us to be happy. Anyways, sorry for being happy. I'll go with my head down looking for my EI cheque like I'm supposed to. :rolleyes:

[TimmyTabasco]

Congrats to Team Canada :D

[wildboy26]

WOOHOO!!! I loved that result.

[leaferfan87]

Nichols made those shots. He's an amazing shotmaker. The Bluestar went down good tonight. I'm home now for the after party!! GO GUSHUE! The Brier is next, kick some ass there!

I don't think Gushue is competing in the Brier.

[Newfie John]

I think he is. The last time I checked the Brier rosters he was.

[Newfie John]

Check that, Peddigrew will be representing NL.