Sault Curlers Secure Brier Playoff Spot After Dominant Round-Robin
The 2026 Montana’s Brier in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, has narrowed its 18-team field to six contenders for the playoff round. The round-robin phase concluded after three draws on Thursday, with all local competitors securing playoff berths.
Sault Curlers Excel in Round-Robin
Matt Dunstone’s Manitoba rink, featuring Sault Ste. Marie athletes E.J. Harnden and Ryan Harnden, achieved a notable victory on Thursday morning. They triumphed over Sandy MacEwan’s northern Ontario team with a decisive 9-3 score. Dunstone established an early 5-0 lead in the first end, ultimately sealing the game with three additional points in the fifth end.
Key Matches
- Dunstone vs. McEwen: Dunstone later faced Mike McEwen from Saskatchewan, winning 6-3. McEwen’s final draw attempt fell short, allowing Dunstone to secure two additional points.
- Pool Standings: Dunstone concluded the round-robin with a remarkable 7-1 record, finishing second in Pool B.
- Jacobs vs. Gushue: Defending champion Brad Jacobs from Alberta met Brad Gushue of Newfoundland and Labrador, losing 4-2. Gushue claimed the top seed in Pool A, also finishing with a 7-1 record.
- Koe’s Dominance: Kevin Koe of Alberta topped the round-robin with an unbeaten 8-0 record.
Playoff Matchups
The playoffs commence on Friday with two significant qualifier games. Jacobs will take on Koe, while Dunstone will face Gushue. The teams that do not advance will have an opportunity to compete again for a place in the Page playoff games on Saturday.
Third Place and Eliminations
- Pool A: Jayden King from Ontario secured third place with a 5-3 record.
- Pool B: Braden Calvert of Manitoba finished third, also with a solid record.
King is set to compete against the loser of the Dunstone versus Gushue match, while Calvert will face the losing team from Jacobs versus Koe. Meanwhile, Sandy MacEwan’s team concluded their tournament run with a disappointing 2-6 record, losing their final game against Calvert 6-3.
Stay tuned to Filmogaz.com for ongoing coverage of the Brier playoffs and updates on your favorite teams.
