Brad vs Brad, One More Curling Time

One more time, one more time

Say you’re leaving, say goodbye

These words from the Joe Jackson song One More Time, from his 1979 debut album, will ring true on Saturday afternoon, Mar. 7 at the Mary Brown’s Centre.

One Brad will defeat the other Brad, in the Page 3 vs 4 playoff – their 69th career matchup, in which the hometown skip leads 35-33 – and the loser might be going home forever.

Newfoundland and Labrador captain Brad Gushue is definitely in his last rodeo – he made that crystal clear back in September. One more loss and that is it, for a glorious career finished on hometown ice.

For Brad Jacobs and his Olympic champions, there are question marks about their future. One would expect, however, there’s at least one more year left in them, for a well-deserved victory lap across the cashspiel circuit leading to next year's 100th Brier in Saskatoon.

The showdown came about after Gushue recovered from his hogged stone fiasco to defeat youthful Jayden King of Ontario 12-6 in Friday night’s Page 3 vs 4 qualifying draw.

The score was tight until the home team snapped a three-ender in the seventh frame, and after an Ontario deuce in eight, a four-ender ended the exercise.

King, aged 23, was competing in his first Brier while Gushue, 45, is appearing in his 23rd Brier.

Today’s early afternoon tilt (12:00 p.m. ET, TSN) marks Gushue’s 10th straight appearance in the Brier’s Page playoffs.

“Nine and one (won/loss record) and we still have to win three more games,” said Gushue. “So (it’s) a tough road ahead, but obviously (we took the) first step tonight. 

“It was a good bounce-back after this afternoon, which is pretty disappointing, but we played a good game. A few little misses here and there (against Ontario), but made some big shots and finished off in nine. We get 10 minutes extra sleep tonight.”

Meanwhile, Jacobs’ tired Olympians have just about had the pickle.

The Calgarians defeated Manitoba’s Braden Calvert 7-3 to set up the Battle of The Brads.

“I’m done with this day,” said Jacobs. “That was a long day. We’re exhausted and just ready for bed.”

“We’re getting down to the nitty gritty here,” Gushue said. “There’s not going to be too many games. Once we lose, we’re done. So I’m trying to enjoy every moment.

“That was one thing I kind of struggled with a little bit in that game is that emotion and thinking, ‘you know what, if we don’t win this one, that’s the last one.’ So I’ve got to figure out a way to get that out of my head (Saturday), but it’s probably something I’m going to have to deal with. 

“I think it’s natural to have those thoughts and emotions, but I’m glad we get to play another one. Hopefully we get to play another one after that.”

The afternoon clash sets the table for the Page 1 vs 2 playoff game Saturday evening (6:00 p.m. ET, TSN) as Kevin Koe’s 9-0 Alberta squad battles Manitoba’s Matt Dunstone (8-1) for a berth in Sunday’s 6:00 p.m. ET championship final.