When Estevan's Brent Gedak heads to North Battleford for the SaskTel Provincial Men's Curling Championships this week, he'll do so as one of the more experienced competitors in the field.
Gedak, who missed out on the provincials last year after qualifying in six straight years previous, plans on using that experience to his advantage.
"It will help us a lot," he said. "I think we should be one of the more veteran teams there."
Being one of the more experienced teams at the event does have its advantages, but so does the drive to finally qualify for the Brier after coming so close so many times over the last decade.
Gedak said he understands there will be some very stiff competition in North Battleford, but he's hoping his team's experience combined with their determination helps them rise above the rest.
"There are going to be some tough teams there, some that have been to the Brier before, but lots of teams are looking for their first and we're one of them, so we're pretty hungry to get that win," said Gedak.
While Gedak himself has been to the provincials seven of the last eight years, this is his first year with his new rink, although three of the four of them played together 10 years ago when they made it to the Canadian Juniors in 2000.
In preparation for the provincials, the Gedak rink hasn't had an abundance of time to play together. Only being together for one year, coupled with the fact they live in different communities has allowed them to compete in just three bonspiels as a team this season, but Gedak said that doesn't hurt their chemistry on the ice.
"We practice strategy when we're all together at bonspiels, but we're all friends and we talk a lot," he said.
As far as expectations at the provincials, Gedak said if they play well and don't veer too far from their game plan, there's no reason they shouldn't be able to be one of the final teams standing.
"Our game plan is to play a consistent game; we don't play too high-risk," said Gedak. "We will take risks when they're needed, but as long as we're consistent and playing well, I think we'll be there on Sunday."
