As the capacity crowd at the Mary Brown’s Centre welcomed Team Gushue with thunderous applause, team second Brendan Bottcher knew he heard that sound before.
It was in 2017 and the Edmonton, Alta was playing in his first Brier.
Of course, that Brier was held in the same arena that Bottcher stood in today. The only difference is he was playing against Gushue in 2017 instead of alongside him on Nov. 26.
This time the crowd was with him instead of the opposite.
“I remember being on the other side of that and it’s just special,” said Bottcher.
The Kioti National is Bottcher’s third event with Team Gushue after joining the team as its new second on Oct. 15 after the team jettisoned E.J. Harnden.
As a team, however, it was the time they’ve been together on home ice.
“The fans here are just incredible here,” said Bottcher. “To be on the side of where it’s nine out of 10, or 9.5 out of 10 people in the building are cheering for you, it is just an awesome feeling.”
Opening salvo
For his first game, Bottcher couldn’t have asked for a better result. They defeated Marc Musketiwitz 6-2 in their opening match and looked strong as a team.
Personally, the newest Team Gushue member wanted to have a good game to start the week. He also wanted to have a good game for the guys at home.
“I think we’re laying some real good foundation here as a new team,” said Bottcher. “Obviously, I want to play well for the guys at home, this is a big one for them, but focusing on the outcome isn’t going to help me.
“I just need to go through my process and make as many shots as I can for the guys.”
Dynamics are solid
While there is a limited sample size for the work being done as a collective unit between Bottcher, Gushue and the rest of the team, which also includes vice-skip Mark Nichols and lead Geoff Walker, there have been positive signs.
As a group, the team has a pair of playoff finishes at the both the Pan Continental and the Co-op Canadian Open. They were fourth at the Pan Continental and second in the Canadian Open.
As Bottcher sees it, the team dynamics have been on point from the start.
“It was great, in my opinion, on day one,” he said. “I think we’re really out there having a lot of fun. I think you can see a lot of smiles and a lot of laughs.
“I think we’re enjoying our time out there and that’s a big part of it.”
Room to grow
Even with impressive results, there is always room for a team to grow.
Especially one with limited time together. Things like getting to the championship rounds can only pull them closer together.
That’s exactly that type of scenario that he is hoping plays out as the week progresses for his team.
“Keep building, keep getting more comfortable and keep learning on the ice,” said Bottcher. “Hopefully, we’re around on the weekend and then you’re always one or two shots away from being there on Sunday.”
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