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Gretzky takes back seat to Howard rink § by David Gravelle The past week's Brier in Edmonton took over the sports pages of the local newspapers. Brian Orser's gold medal performance at the World Figure Skating Championships couldn't push Brier activity from the cover of the sports rag. Even the Edmonton Oilers trade prior to the National Hockey League's trading deadline had to take a-se- cond billing. However, when you come to Edmonton the one person you have to see on the sports pages or in per- son is the "Great One', Wayne Gretzky. He did make one appearance at the Brier and was introduc- ed in the ceremony prior to a night draw. But, for the Russ Howard rink from Ontario they wanted to meet Gretzky in person and perhaps take in a practice. Thanks to some connections in the Oiler dressing room their wishes became reality. As a matter of fact they shared their good fortune with many of us. Last Wednesday morn- ing the team and a group including myself, Bill and Barb Howard, Connie Maurice, Pop Gravelle, Pete Volett, and Annette Merkley visited, Northlands Colliseum to meet Gretzky and his mates. The trip was a smashing success as we all met the living hockey legend, coach Glen Sather, and some of the players. We watched the team go through a relaxed practice prior to their evening game against the Detroit Red Wings. By the way, the Oilers won 6-3, Gretzky had four points. The entire visit was organized by former Midland resident and now Edmonton Oilers' trainer Peter Millar. He gave us a tour, introduced us to players, and made us feel very welcome in this Western Canada city. He even went so far as to offer the Oilers' facilities in case any of the players came down with minor in- juries during the Brier week. Meeting Gretzky and the Oilers was a pleasant sur- prise in our week at the Brier and the memories will stay with us for years to come. Champion curlers Photos by David Gravelle Ontario has friends in Edmonton by David Gravelle Last week's Brier in Ed- monton was a hectic one for all those involved, the organizing committee, the sponsor, the players, the of- ficials and the media. But, at this level of competition, a busy schedule is ex- pected. However, one group that always seems to be forgotten at these events are the wives, fiances, and girlfriends of the team members. They have to put up with long days, meals on the run, ornery men if the team is losing, and spending about 12 days hustling from hotel to arena and to more than a week's worth of social functions. For the Penetanguishene girls it was similar to a week last March in Kitchener-Waterloo when their loves made it to the final game of the Brier on- ly to lose to Ed Lukowich. Heading out west Wendy Howard, Christie Atkin, Ellen Belcourt, Helen Carstairs and Annette Merkley knew what to ex- pect. Russ' wife, Wendy, knows her hubby well and said, following the win in the Brier final, the skip was more determined after last year's disappointing turn of events when Russ' shooter rolled out in the ninth end and he lost the Canadian title to Ed Lukowich. "You have to lose it (the Brier) to know how to win it. You have to know that feeling. It (last year's loss) was the best growing ex- perience they ever had," she said. . When the final stone was being thrown the crowd of 3900 took a deep breath...however, the On- tario girls seemed to be cool as cucumbers, at least on the outside. Wendy Howard said being there before helped. "No, I wasn't worried. Even though we were down I knew we were in control." Although Ontario didn't have a partisan crowd behind them, the girls felt at home because of the On- tario people that came out to cheer the Pene- tanguishene rink on. They included Bill 'and Barb Howard, (Russ and Glenn's parents), Tim Lindsay, Omer Gravelle, Connie Maurice, Peter Volett, Bob Merkley, and groups from Parry Sound, Muskoka, Wallaceburg, Chatham, and Ottawa. Later on in the week more of the Merkley clan showed up from Calgary to cheer on the team. So, all in all, the girls had local company to make them feel at home and of course made friends with many of the other teams' wives. Now, with Sunday's win over Bernie Sparkes, the five women have a new responsibility. They are not just the ambassadors of the Town of Penetanguishene, the province of Ontario but represent all the curlers in Canada. From this writers' viewpoint an all star team of women will be in Van- couver supporting their men and making us proud. Tuesday, March 17, 1987, Page 17