2016 Brier final: Newfoundland & Labrador vs Alberta tale of the tape

Is this the year? Is this finally the year that Brad Gushue skips Newfoundland & Labrador (NL) to a long awaited Brier championship? The province hasn't claimed it since 1976, when Jack MacDuff won it all in Regina. Gushue is skipping the province for a 13th time, with his closest call coming in 2007, when his rink was bested by Glenn Howard and Ontario in the final. While Gushue has an Olympic gold medal from the 2006 games to boast about, there is little doubt that this is the championship he most wants. In fact, he's been known to wear the number 76 on his jersey at Grand Slam events, in honour of the last time NL took the Canadian men's curling championship.

A win by Gushue over Alberta, skipped by Kevin Koe, (7:30 pm ET, TSN) would be a picture perfect script for fans on The Rock, as St. John's just happens to be the host of the 2017 Brier. Sunday night's winner gets an invitation to next year's show, contesting as Team Canada. Incidentally, Gushue played a major role in landing that Brier for his home city.

This will be far from easy, of course. In what many have called the best Brier field perhaps ever, Koe's team has emerged as NL's foe, after an incredible semi-final win over Northern Ontario. Koe is seeking his third Canadian title as a skip, but first with his curent team, which was formed before the beginning of the 2014-15 season. If he leads his team to victory, Alberta gets a sweep, having claimed the Canadian women's title as well.

Here is a breakdown of some of the statistical numbers ahead of the championship game:

Gushue's rink is ranked as the number one men's team on the planet, according to the World Curling Tour's (WCT) year-to-date standings, with a won/loss record of 83 and 17, according to statistics found at CurlingZone.com. Koe's rink is ranked number two in the world, with a record of 63 and 18.

These teams have met four times this season, with Koe's Calgary squad winning the first three games before Gushue's St. John's foursome turned the tables during the Brier round robin, taking a 4-3 decision. Two of Koe's victories over Gushue came at Grand Slam events, the other at the Canada Cup. Koe defeated Gushue in the final of the Tour Challenge, back in September.

NL has a record of 10 and 2 at this year's Brier, including Friday night's 7-6 win over Northern Ontario (NO) in the 1 vs 2 playoff game. Alberta's Brier record is 10 and 3, including playoff victories over Manitoba and NO.

NL has scored an average of 6.08 points per game, while giving up an average of 4.67 this week and finished the round robin shooting 91% as a team, upping the ante just a touch in the 1 v 2 game, where they collectively shot 92%. Alberta has averaged an even 7 points per game, while giving up an average of 4.62. As a team, they shot 92% during the round robin, upping that to 93% in their 3 v 4 game win over Manitoba and then 88% in the semi-final win over NO.

Below, each player's cumulative shooting percentage from round robin games and their ranking at the position. (NL on the left, Alberta on the right with their rankings in parentheses)

Leads: Geoff Walker, 91% (Tied-5th). Ben Hebert, 94% (T-1st).

Seconds: Brett Gallant, 90% (T-5th). Brent Laing, 93% (1st).

Thirds: Mark Nichols, 92% (T-2nd). Marc Kennedy, 92% (T-2).

Skips: Brad Gushue, 92% (2nd). Kevin Koe, 89% (T-3).

NL's Walker soared in the 1 v 2 game on Friday night, posting a 97% shooting accuracy mark. Gallant and Nichols stayed fairly well true to form - a touch better, actually - boosting each of their round robin percentages by one in that playoff game. Gushue's numbers took a slight hit, as he dropped to 89%.

Alberta's Laing posted playoff numbers of 99%, in the 3 v 4 game, followed by 90% in the semi. Hebert shot 88% followed by 91%, while Kennedy recorded a 93% followed by an 89%. Koe shot 91% in the 3 v 4 game, and dropped to 83% in the semi.

On the season, NL has seven wins in twelve events, including a Grand Slam title, that being The National back in November. They came close to a couple more, losing The Canadian Open to John Epping and his hot shooting, in December. They also finished second at The Tour Challenge, losing to Koe.

Alberta has won five out of the ten events they've entered so far this season, including the Canada Cup, which allowed them to be the first men's team to qualify for the Olympic Trials, to be held in the fall of 2017.

Quick notes: Before Gushue's win during the round robin, Koe's win streak against him had stretched to five games, dating back to last season.... Alberta held hammer in the opening end in eleven of their thirteen games at the Brier. NL held the hammer to open just three times in their twelve games. NL will have the hammer to begin the championship game, by virtue of their win in Friday's 1 v 2 game.... NL has stolen 15 points this week, while Alberta has given up only four steal points.