Darren Moulding

After being cut by Brendan Bottcher's team last fall, Moulding wanted to use the situation as a teaching example. He later joined a new team and returned to the ...

Bottcher missed a double-takeout for three in the ninth that gave New Brunswick a steal and tied the game. "I was trying to be a little bit playful with it. "It was pretty intense," Thiessen said. At least it was a good game." Bottcher's Edmonton-based side was playing in its home province but was given the road team treatment. "Ultimately it was always going to be a battle," Bottcher said. "It was wonderful," Moulding said. Landing in the same nine-team pool as the defending champs set the stage for a matchup loaded with zip. "The reason I'm here is to show him that when somebody punches you in the face, when somebody spits on you, you don't stop," Moulding said. Moulding helped Bottcher's team to three straight Brier silver medals before finally winning last season in the Calgary bubble. The Canada-New Brunswick showdown was much-hyped and it delivered. After being cut by Brendan Bottcher's team last fall, Moulding wanted to use the situation as a teaching example.