Brier Scores Today: Gushue Bows Out as Jacobs Advances to Final
Brad Gushue bowed out of his final Canadian men’s curling championship after a 7-5 playoff loss to Brad Jacobs, a result that ended Gushue’s competitive men’s curling career and shifted the title race. Sunday at 3: 00 p. m. ET — brier scores today show Jacobs advancing to the semifinal while the title game waits in the evening.
Brier Scores Today: Jacobs Tops Gushue 7-5 in Playoff
Jacobs beat Gushue 7-5 in the playoff, taking control with a three-point sixth end that put him up 5-2, the decisive swing in the game. Gushue answered with two in the seventh to narrow the gap to 5-4, but Jacobs scored singles in the eighth and 10th ends while Gushue managed a single in the ninth, sealing the victory by two points.
Earlier in the weekend, Jacobs had earned his spot in the Page playoff by winning Saturday’s 3v4 game over Braden Calvert, setting up the meeting with the hometown team. Jacobs said in media availability provided by Curling Canada, “That was our best team game of the week, ” praising his rink’s control from the opening ends.
Gushue’s Final Brier Draws Packed Arena in St. John’s
The 45-year-old from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, received an emotional sendoff as every draw involving his team packed the arena, and ice technicians adjusted for temperature swings caused by the crowds. Gushue said, “I’m thankful for the amount of appreciation and love that I was showed, ” calling the response a memory he will have for the rest of his life.
Gushue had been aiming for a record seventh Brier title to bookend his first Brier win in St. John’s in 2017. His career résumé in the context provided includes Olympic gold in 2006 and bronze in 2022, a 2017 world championship, six Brier titles, four world silver medals and 15 Grand Slam victories — achievements teammates and longtime partner Mark Nichols said reshaped curling’s profile in their province.
Koe Beats Dunstone 9-7; Final on Sunday Evening Will Decide World Spot
In Saturday’s 1v2 Page playoff, Kevin Koe beat Matt Dunstone 9-7 in an extra end to secure a spot in the tournament final on Sunday evening. Dunstone said the team had fought through pressure and that a missed shot by a hair kept them from taking the win in regulation.
Dunstone’s rink includes Sault Ste. Marie curlers E. J. Harnden at second and Ryan Harnden at lead along with third Colton Lott; they will face Jacobs in Sunday afternoon’s semifinal. Dunstone said his team was looking forward to challenging the Olympic champions, providing a marquee semifinal matchup for the tournament.
The winner of Sunday night’s title game will represent Canada at the World Men’s Curling Championship later this month in Utah.
Semifinal: Dunstone vs. Jacobs — Sunday at 3: 00 p. m. ET. Title game: Koe vs. semifinal winner — Sunday at 7: 00 p. m. ET.
