Brad Gushue hit a draw just inside the top of the eight-foot ring to put away a dramatic 7-6 win over Canada’s Kevin Koe in the Tim Horton’s Brier final Sunday in St. John’s, Nfld.
The hometown crowd of over 6,000 erupted as Gushue won with his final shot.
With the win, Gushue ended a Brier drought for Newfoundland and Labrador that stretched back to the ’70s.
Despite a fierce winter storm that blasted the province over the weekend, St. John’s was rocking as revellers celebrated Gushue’s win into the night.
This accurately portrays the atmosphere at the Patch currently #Brier2017 #LiveItLive pic.twitter.com/gZVAX9cTbI
— Curling Canada (@CurlingCanada) March 13, 2017
But then, people inside the Patch were already primed to party after witnessing the win on the big screen.
The scene inside the Patch when @TeamGushue‘s winning shot was replayed #Brier2017 #celebrationneverends pic.twitter.com/JiDB2j3puK
— Curling Canada (@CurlingCanada) March 13, 2017
With the win, Gushue’s rink will represent Canada at the World Curling Championships in Edmonton Apr. 1-9.
Welcoming the new TEAM CANADA!! #Brier2017 #Patch @TeamGushue pic.twitter.com/AVD1PxpCai
— Curling Canada (@CurlingCanada) March 13, 2017
And of course, Gushue made sure the crowd in the Patch got a chance to hold the Brier Tankard.
#Brier2017 champ Brad Gushue gives the Tankard to the people pic.twitter.com/d3B82MJt8e
— Gregory Strong (@GregoryStrongCP) March 13, 2017