Brier feels like home for Moskowy, even playing for Manitoba

If Regina feels like home for Manitoba third Braeden Moskowy, well, it actually is.

Manitoba’s third was born and raised in Queen City and even wore the green jacket for a time, including at one Brier, before joining up with Reid Carruthers to play one province over.

This will be his third Brier appearance and his second as part of Team Manitoba.

“It’s funny, it’s confusing I look over sometimes and see (the Saskatchewan) guys in the green … it’s still odd,” the 27-year-old said after a 6-5 extra end win against his home province Sunday morning.

“The first (Brier) was really weird and seeing my family put the (Manitoba) colours on too was really odd but this is the second time around now and definitely feel a bit more comfortable and used to it,” he explained. “Any time you get to a Brier you’re happy and for it to be (in Regina) is amazing.”

Moskowy comes from a long line of local Saskatchewan curlers. His grandpa ran one of the rinks in town, his mom curled, his grandma curled and his dad Kelly Moskowy represented Saskatchewan at the Brier back in 2002.

Braeden grew up watching his dad play and now his dad has the opportunity to do the same.

“It’s pretty cool seeing him up there,” the younger Moskowy said.

“He’s come to all three Briers I’ve been at now and for this one to be at home I think he’s enjoying it.”

It seems there is no shortage of people enjoying watching Moskowy play, even in the “wrong colours”. Cheers could be heard for Manitoba even during the game against Saskatchewan.

“The ovation we received was amazing,” he said of the reception they got in their opening draw. “It felt like we were playing a home Brier, basically. Now that we have Saskatchewan out of the way so hopefully people can cheer for us a bit more.”

Saskatchewan looks for first win Sunday night

It’s not the position they wanted to be in, but Team Saskatchewan isn’t ringing any alarm bells just yet.

The hometown team has been held winless so far in the tournament and is sitting at 0-2.

The hometown team was able to push Manitoba into extra ends Sunday morning, but Reid Carruthers sealed in with the final stone of the 11^th to secure a 2-0 for his rink.

Saskatchewan second Kirk Muyres put the blame on himself.

“The boys played really good. I didn’t play good. If I’d have played better we probably win, but that’s curling right? I have to play better going forward,” he said.

Still, at just day two, the team isn’t ringing the alarm bells yet.

“We’re trending in the right direction now I think and you can’t win the brier on day two so just gotta keep playing.”

“I’ve been oh and two in a lot of bonspiels and been fine at the end,” he continued. “It’s more about how we’re playing and where we’re trending and how the team is coming together.”

Plus, it doesn’t hurt to have a loud and proud crowd behind them every step of the way.

“It’s awesome. We were surprised it was that full after that wild night in the patch, you could almost smell the booze in there,” Muyres joked. “But it was awesome and they’re behind us and it’s cool and when you’re kind of down a bit they bring you up.”

Saskatchewan will look for their first win tonight against New Brunswick.

The draw begins at 7 p.m.