“The Shot” from The Big Spiel

Some quick back story.  Earlier that day, we played another similar type team from Texas.  Yes, apparently, there’s curling in Texas.  Also, a good group of guys.  We had an early lead and then blew it near the end.  They had the draw at Frogtown right before ours and lost to exit the tourney.  But, they hung around having a beer and watching their new friends from Windy City.  They are in the lounge area behind glass.  Important to note that Frogtown used to be a hockey rink.  Still looks like one, but is a converted to full time curling.  There are still boards up, without the surround glass.  This hockey reference will tie in soon.

There is a draw to the button from right to left.  The hole is big enough to get it in.  Nate, our borrowed local vice, sets the broom head down for me to aim at.  I know what I need to do.  I slide out of the hack aiming at the broom.  Honestly, I’m not sure if I hit the broom and we just weren’t out far enough or if I missed the broom and through in too far.  Either way, the result was the same.  Phil and Dan tried the best they could to keep it on line and get it past the guard wall, but, to no avail.  I put it right into the mess at the top of the circle.  As there may be sensitive ears that read this, I shall not elaborate on how I felt about my shot.  Their skip hops into the hack, now knowing exactly what I am trying to do.  He’s planning on plugging the hole I want to go through.  Luckily, he’s not perfect either.  As he slides out and releases, I watch the path.  I can tell he wanted to go wider that I just went to avoid the wall.  However, he went out too far and dropped left to right off of a ledge that had formed on the outside edges.  He missed plugging the hole!  At this point, there’s no need for a lengthy strategy discussion.  Outdraw them for the win or miss…again…and get knocked out of the bonspiel.  No pressure, right?  As I start sliding down to the end to throw, Nate profoundly states “Hey, it’s for the win!”  Really???  I didn’t notice.

Last rock of the 8th, up by 1, other team is sitting 2 for the win…and, here’s the slide…

Deep breath.  I push out from the hack.  I know I need to go out farther than my first stone but not as far as their last.  Nate had moved the broom accordingly.  As I release, the line looks good.  But, what about the weight?  I get up and start sliding behind the stone.  Phil and Dan with their brooms at the ready.  Then, BOOM!  Dan goes down!  I say something to him.  I’d like to think I said “Are you OK?” but, there’s a chance I yelled “Don’t burn the stone!”  (Dan was OK, by the way.)  Anyway,  I hop over the fallen teammate to take up the left broom spot.  The stone is started to curl right to left.  That’s good.  It didn’t hit the ledge.  Watching the line, we are also going to miss the wall at the top of the house.  Weight looks good.  Or, is it light?  Maybe, too heavy?  I don’t know.  I’ve only been doing this for 5 months.  Their vice takes his spot at the T line ready to sweep my stone out and past theirs.  As it enters the house, it starts to slow.  It just might stop!  As it passes the button, their vice sweeps feverishly trying to get it far enough out.  But, it stops.  In the four foot.  A couple inches at best closer than their closest.  I’m still not convinced.  I keep taking the bird’s eye view over mine and theirs.  And, mine and theirs.  We are closer!  We win!  The Texas boys start pounding on the glass to cheer like a bunch of crazy hockey fans! (See, hockey reference.)

It was an awesome feeling.  A true team effort.  And, a really fun couple of draws that day.  Can’t wait for the next chance to win it on the last throw!