Loss of third Nichols to positive COVID-19 test ‘gut punch’ for Gushue rink MORE:
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – Team Brad Gushue third Mark Nichols has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the playoffs at the Tim Hortons Brier.
“Despite taking the necessary precautions, Mark Nichols unfortunately tested positive for COVID-19 today,” the release said. “Mark is experiencing mild symptoms and is currently isolating. Due to event protocols, Mark will no longer be able to compete in the Tim Hortons Brier. The team will play the rest of the event with three players. We wish Mark all the best and a speedy recovery.”
“We’ve done everything we can in the last few months to avoid this and we’re one of the only teams here that were wearing masks and doing all this stuff. And we get caught in the playoffs when we were playing great,” said Gushue after the loss. “It’s a gut punch on top of a kick in the groin.”Team Gushue, who are fresh off winning bronze at the Winter Olympics in Beijing last month, were the only rink in Lethbridge to get through round robin play with a perfect 8-0 record as Wild Card 1.