Brad Gushue’s curling team, fueled by enthusiastic local support, completed pool play unbeaten at the Brier with a 4-2 victory over defending and Olympic champion Brad Jacobs on Thursday. Gushue led Pool A with an 8-0 record, surpassing Jacobs at 7-1 in St. John’s. A six-time Brier champion, Gushue, along with his long-standing teammates Mark Nichols and Geoff Walker, aim to secure a record seventh title in their skip’s final appearance at the Canadian men’s curling championship. Brendan Bottcher, their second, seeks his second title, with Gushue having won his inaugural Brier in 2017 in St. John’s.
The crowd at the Mary Brown’s Centre erupted as Gushue secured a 4-2 lead with a hit for two in the ninth end, prompting a lively rendition of “Heave Away” by the Fables. The packed arena cheered on as Gushue’s double takeout in the 10th end eliminated any chance for a Jacobs comeback, with over 6,100 fans passionately chanting along.
Nichols acknowledged the significance of the moment, stating, “There’s probably only a few more roars like that left for this team. To not pay attention to that, I think we’d be silly to do.” He expressed gratitude for the support and emphasized savoring each moment.
Kevin Koe of Alberta, a four-time Brier champion, also finished pool play undefeated at 8-0 to claim the top spot in Pool B. Manitoba’s Matt Dunstone (7-1) and Braden Calvert (5-3) secured the remaining playoff spots in the pool. Dunstone’s victory over Saskatchewan’s Mike McEwen closed the door on McEwen’s playoff hopes as they finished 5-3, with a prior loss to Calvert serving as the tiebreaker.
In Pool A, Jayden King’s rookie Ontario team clinched the third playoff spot with a 9-4 win over Saskatchewan’s Kelly Knapp, finishing with a 5-3 record. King expressed enthusiasm about their underdog status, noting the lack of pressure on his team.
Looking ahead, Koe is set to face Jacobs, while Gushue will meet Dunstone in the upcoming matches. The winners will compete in the Page playoff between the top two seeds, with the losers facing off against the third seeds for a chance to advance to the following playoff round. The ultimate goal for the winners is to represent Canada at the men’s world curling championship in Ogden, Utah, followed by the 2027 Canadian championship in Saskatoon.
Gushue’s clash with Jacobs was a highlight of pool play, with both teams displaying intensity akin to a playoff game. Despite their recent Olympic success, Jacobs’ team faced a tough challenge against Gushue’s determined squad.
The atmosphere in Pool A has been electric, primarily due to the presence of Gushue, Jacobs, and another Newfoundland team led by Nathan Young, drawing sold-out crowds. As the competition progresses, the teams will navigate the fervent support from the local fans, creating a unique dynamic within the tournament.
Various teams in both pools have showcased their talents, with each game adding to the excitement and unpredictability of the Brier.