The Montana’s Brier curling event is heating up as local teams battle for the coveted title. Three curlers from Sault Ste. Marie are among those keeping their Brier title hopes alive. They include skip Brad Jacobs and his teammates Marc Kennedy, Brett Gallant, and Ben Hebert.
Exciting Qualifier Rounds
On Friday, the qualification matches laid the groundwork for a thrilling weekend. Jacobs’ team experienced a mixed day. They began the day facing Alberta’s Kevin Koe in the 1v2 qualifier. Unfortunately, they lost this match with a score of 7-4.
Koe took control of the game by scoring three points in the seventh end, leading 3-2 at the time. A single point in the ninth end, followed by a steal in the tenth, secured Koe’s win.
Jacobs Bounces Back
The evening brought a turnaround for Jacobs. His team triumphed over Manitoba’s Braden Calvert with a score of 7-3 in the 3v4 Page playoff qualifier game. Jacobs highlighted a key moment in the match: “The turning point was making the angle raise for two, which gave us significant energy.”
Other Key Matches
Meanwhile, in the other 1v2 qualifier, the match between Matt Dunstone and Brad Gushue ended with Dunstone securing a 7-5 victory. The defining moment was Dunstone’s final shot, which cleared Gushue’s rocks and positioned him favorably.
- Gushue commented on his final shot, stating it was crucial to guard against Dunstone’s potential winning shot.
- Dunstone acknowledged the challenging ice conditions, noting issues during the eighth end.
Upcoming Matches
With their respective victories, Dunstone will compete against Koe in the 1v2 Page playoff game on Saturday. The winner will advance directly to Sunday’s final.
Jacobs’ squad will face Gushue, with the winner earning a spot in the semifinal. The stakes are high as teams aim to maintain their Brier title hopes.
All-Star Selections
The day concluded with notable achievements for the Dunstone rink. The Harnden brothers received second team all-star honors, while Lott and Gallant were recognized as first team all-stars. Kennedy was also acknowledged as a second team all-star.
The upcoming matches promise to deliver more excitement as the teams vie for the ultimate glory at the Montana’s Brier.
