From: Mark Pioli Sent: Friday, April 3, 2015 16:36 To: Garth McQueen; Bruce Clark; Shannon Reuter; Mauro Nuccitelli Subject: Pioli Papers - THE SHOT Thursday April 2nd...The day will be remembered in CTFS curling history as simply THE SHOT. The day felt like any other Thursday curling day. Around 4:30 I texted Garth begging him to play. Garth apparently was still in the USA stopping at Smoking Joes Indian Reserve picking up some cheap gas and souvenir gifts for his family, "Donna they won't know these I got gassed in the USA tshirts are not from Florida". Faced with the stark reality that I was going to have to play I had to get myself ready. Battling a cold all week , not playing in a month, facing one of the top teams in the league wasn't enough. This was the playoffs , the playoffs, the A flight playoffs, a must win game. Popping a couple extra strength Tylenol sinus I headed out to the club, no beer before the game today, body is too weak and already a bit dizzy from cold. Arrived at curling club and met Shannon upstairs our pre game ritual, talking about the good times from the workday. Shannon asked would you like a beer, immediately as a reflex forgetting my condition said, Coors Lite please. Game started as per usual, Shannon lost the toss for the 15th consecutive time. Shaking hands with the opposing team something didn't feel right. Why is the skip of their team playing lead against me. And there it was Niagara Falls rules were in effect, rule 1 stack team for playoffs. First shot perfect guard, second shot perfect little did I know those were the only 2 shots I was going to make all night, to my defence Bill made me shoot the #6 cutter rock all night. The game was a fierce battle, they took one in the first, first end had all 16 rocks in play, this game was on. The second end was the turning point if it wasn't for the shot, this may be considered the shot. Mauro looking at 4 blue had to draw to the four foot for one. With no backing Mauro nailed it. Game tied 1-1. The game was a back and forth, we took one, they took one, we took one , they took one, scoreboard was very neat and orderly, one,one,one, one. Game was pretty tense, then Mauro lighten up the team in the 5th or 6th end not sure. Bill let his guard down and Mauro with hammer, was calling the end thinking he didn't have hammer. We knew our skip was cool playing exactly how he played all year. Playoffs were not impacting his decision making. THE SHOT THE HOUSE I have to set it up, all kinds of rocks out front. After retreads 8th shot they were lying one in the four foot close to button on the right side of the house. We were 2nd shot touching the four on left side. Guards out front. Only shot was angle off the blue in the 12 foot, our rock would have to then angle towards button, tap the blue back to the 8 foot , and hang around the 4 foot for the win. THE ATMOSPHERE The rink was eerily silent. We were the last game still in progress. All other sheets empty, players from 6:00 draw watching from upstairs. All other teams for 8:00 draw downstairs watching through the window. This was a perfect atmosphere for what was about to transpire. Bill, Shannon, Mauro surrounding the house talking about the how to play the shot. I was at other end, sitting on the bench, blowing my nose, trying to figure out how I didn't collapse from a heart attack sweeping all night, chit chatting with girl cleaning the ice. THE SHOT Mauro took his position in the hack, he knew miss and lose make it and win. I did clean the rock for good luck. Bill ready, I was ready. Mauro released the shot as if time slowed down the rock made its way down the ice. Shannon called swipers on , off, we knew it was close. The rock entered the house, then it happened it hit the blue at perfect 110 degree angle. Now would it hit the blue....? YES, now would it have enough speed to knock blue out of four ...? YES, now would the shooter stick...YES,YES,YES. Shannon erupted raising her broom looking like she was doing an impression of Titancs Leonardo DiCaprio's "I'm the king of the world". Retreads were in disbelief. Mauro, Bill and I in disbelief. THE SHOT just happened, Plan A. HISTORY The Shot will be widely regarded as one of the most memorable shots in CTFS history. Some people claimed that Mauro closed his eyes when he let it go. Mauro quoted after game, It's humbling, really. I feel honored people are still talking about it, 5 minutes later. We may sit and think about that moment couple of times a year, and how awesome it was to be a part of that shot. After the game things were back to normal, lost 50 50 draw. I hoped Garth would be playing next week. Mark