Looking to end a Rock-y drought

The second draw wraps up with the boys from the Rock (and one Buffalo boy) off to a what looked like a good start only to gas it in the 10th by giving up 3.
For the Newfoundlanders, while this is a tough start, it's against a great team and so they are far from done. But even then, it will not be easily for Newfoundland to not just win, but overcome a serious drought.
Of the nine provinces/regions that have won a Brier before, none has gone longer since winning the Tankard than Newfoundland and Labrador.
Thirty-three years is a long time and that's how long it has been.
Jack MacDuff shocking victory in Regina in 1976 is the stuff of Brier legend and we'll get into it at a later date.
But since then it hasn't been like Newfoundland has been wandering in the wilderness like it had been before then.
Newfoundland made its debut at the Brier in 1951.
Prior to 1976, it's best performance had been 4-6 (the Territories joined in 1975). The Newfs finished 4-6 four times (1958, Bud Fisher; 1970, Les Bowering; 1971, Bob Cole — yes that Bob Cole; and 1973, Jim Ward).
In the early days, the Brier was tough on the newest province.
From 1951 to 1964, Newfoundland finished 0-10 or 1-9 every time except 1958 and 1959 when Fisher went 3-7.
Up to 1975, Newfoundland won zero games four times, one game 10 times, two games four times and three games on three occasions, to go with the four four-win Briers. That's a record of 43-208.
After MacDuff won the Brier with a 9-2 record, Newfoundland was turned around as a province.
Since then, Newfoundland hasn't been Manitoba or Alberta but much better than before the Regina Brier watershed.
Since then, Newfoundland has gone 3-8 or worse only 10 times in 34 Briers.
Including MacDuff's win, it has gone 6-5 or better 13 times. Since 1980, it has made tie-breakers or playoffs on six occasions, although Gushue's final loss in 2007, is the only final appearance.
Gushue's boys will have to prove they can hold to a win better though if they're going to finally break this drought.