John Morris’ Olympic dreams are sliding away in Ottawa.
Morris’ Vernon rink fell to 0-3 Monday morning at the Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings Canadian Olympic trials in Ottawa, as he dropped an 8-6 decision to reigning Brier and World Champion Brad Gushue of St. John’s.
After falling behind 1-0, Morris scored three in the third to take the lead, which lasted only one end. Gushue tied it with a deuce in four, then stole one in the fifth for a 4-3 edge at the break.
Morris, backed by third Jim Cotter, second Catlin Schneider and lead Tyrel Griffith, scored two in the seventh for a 5-4 lead, only to watch Gushue come back with a four-spot in eight to take an 8-5 advantage.
The Vernon rink got one back in the ninth before Gushue ran the team out of rocks in the final end.
Morris lost the 2013 Trials final to eventual Olympic gold medalist Brad Jacobs of Sault Ste. Marie.
The top three rinks make the playoffs in Ottawa.
Kevin Koe of Calgary (3-0) and Winnipeg’s Mike McEwen (2-0) were the only undefeated teams heading into Monday afternoon’s draw.
Gushue improved to 2-1 with the victory while Brendan Bottcher of Edmonton, Jacobs and Toronto’s John Epping were 1-1. Steve Laycock of Saskatoon was 1-2 and Reid Carruthers of Winnipeg sat at 0-2.
Morris takes on Bottcher in his next match Tuesday evening.