Team Dunstone ready to represent Saskatchewan at Brier in Calgary

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“All we did was go to the curling rink, go to the house watch the Scotties, go back to the curling rink, and go back to the house and watch the Scotties,” he said. “So in terms of a training camp, I don’t think we could have asked for anything better.”

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Team Dunston was able to practice out of the Wadena Curling Club prior to leaving for the Calgary bubble. (Submitted photo/Kirk Muyres)

Muyres said he doesn’t know if other teams have been able to practice to an extent prior to the bubble as there weren’t provincial playdowns in most cases. Having that practice ahead of the tournament, when there hasn’t been much curling taking place, should allow them to feel more confident and play a bit more free when Draw One comes around.

“Just kind of let it flow and let yourself make shots,” Muyres said.

Team Dunstone won bronze at the 2020 event in Kingston, Ont. with Skip Matt Dunstone, Third Braden Moskowy, Second Catlin Schneider, and Lead Dustin Kidby. Muyres took Schneiders place as Second in April and heads to his sixth Scotties individually. He said every Brier is special, and growing up in Saskatchewan and playing in Saskatchewan they dream about representing the province at the national championship.

“Putting that green jacket on is the coolest part,” _{–Kirk Muyres}

This Brier will be much different than past years as there won’t be any fans in attendance in Calgary. Muyres said it won’t be anything new playing in front of nobody as almost every curler has done so in the past, but the magnitude of the event will change the feeling.

“It’s going to be a little different when you know you’re in an arena, you know you’re playing for a Canadian championship, the TV lights are on,” he said. “Then you make a big shot and nothing happens.”

Muyres said at that point the teams will feel the difference in the atmosphere.

That being said, Muyres added that a big key to winning the tournament and having success is going to be creating your own energy and capturing it on the sheet. He also said that making shots early, winning early, and getting into a groove in the first few games will go a long way in who wins the 2021 Brier.

As for what it would mean to win the tournament, Muyres said there would likely be some waterworks from he and his teammates.

“I think quite honestly if we would actually raise that tankard at the end of the week, all four of us would be crying like no other,” he said. “Because I think the emotions of it would be too much to handle.”

A Brier win would be the first for anyone of the four members, and the first for a Saskatchewan rink since 1980.

Team Saskatchewan opens play at the Brier on Friday, March 5 as they take on Team Nunavut. Saskatchewan is in Pool B with the likes of Jon Epping of Ontario, Kevin Koe who earned a Wild Card berth, and defending champion Brad Gushue as Team Canada. P.E.I, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Quebec round out the group.

Once the Brier wraps up on March 14, Muyres will for sure be sticking around as he gets set to join Laura Walker at the Canadian Mixed Doubles Championship that gets going on March 18. If Team Saskatchewan wins the Brier, Muyres said the rest of the team will stick around as the World Men’s Championships opens on April 2, followed by two Grand Slam of Curling events that Team Dunstone is set to partake in.

Muyres said the team is excited for the Brier and are ready to go, and are prepared for a few extra weeks in Calgary.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6