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Photo from the Team Gushue Facebook page. Beaverlodge's Geoff Walker is on the far left.

By Curtis Galbraith

Bubble Brier

Brier starts Friday night from Calgary bubble

Mar 5, 2021 | 2:27 PM

The first draw of the Brier starts tonight at 6:30 Alberta time inside the Calgary curling bubble.

Brad Gushue’s Team Canada opens against Ontario’s John Epping.

Team Canada lead Geoff Walker says this will be the first game for him since last year’s Brier final.

“It’s going to be different for sure. I think some teams might start off a little bit rusty just to find their game and get back to actually playing with each other because it’s been a while since a lot of teams have been able to compete.”

He thinks his rink having played together a long time should help.

“We’re familiar with each other, that’s going to help. We didn’t have to make any changes or anything like that. I think it’s still going to take probably a few games before we get back to where we’re comfortable, just because of the amount of time off we’ve had.”

Walker has been with Gushue-led rinks for 11 seasons, six of those with the current line-up.

Also in Draw 1, Kevin Koe’s wild card team will play Nova Scotia, Nunavut will be up against Saskatchewan, and Quebec meets Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Brier will continue through March 14.

by Curtis Galbraith