Geoff Walker and Mark Nichols, of Team Newfoundland and Labrador-Gushue, sweep as Brad Gushue follows his stone during Draw 13 at the Montana's Brier Canadian men's curling championship, in St. John's on Wednesday.Paul Daly/The Canadian Press
Hometown favourite Brad Gushue went undefeated through pool play at the Montana’s Brier with a 4-2 victory Thursday over defending champion and reigning Olympic champion Brad Jacobs.
Gushue topped Pool A with an 8-0 record ahead of Jacobs at 7-1.
Jayden King’s rookie Ontario team from Tillsonburg claimed the third and final playoff spot in the pool with a 9-4 win over Saskatchewan’s Kelly Knapp for a 5-3 record.
Quebec’s Jean-Michel Menard also finished 5-3 with an 8-3 win over Prince Edward Island, but King won the head-to-head tiebreaker between the two teams to rank higher.
The top three teams in each pool of nine at the conclusion of pool play Thursday advanced to Friday’s playoff round, from which Saturday’s four Page playoff teams and seedings will be determined.
Four-time Brier champion Kevin Koe of Alberta at 7-0 secured top seed in Pool B.
Manitoba’s Matt Dunstone (6-1) locked down a playoff berth in that group with a win over Northern Ontario in the morning draw, but his ranking, and the third playoff berth, were still on the table heading into the evening draw.
Dunstone was to face Saskatchewan’s Mike McEwen (5-2). New Brunswick’s James Grattan and Manitoba’s Braden Calvert (both 4-3) were also still in contention.
Sunday’s winner will represent Canada at the men’s world curling championship March 27 to April 4 in Ogden, Utah, and return to the 2027 Canadian championship in Saskatoon wearing the Maple Leaf.
Saskatchewan’s Knapp, P.E.I.’s Tyler Smith and Nathan Young of Newfoundland and Labrador finished 3-5 in Pool A ahead of Nova Scotia’s Kendal Thompson (2-6) and Nunavut’s Derek Samalgaski (0-8).
Team Alberta Vice-skip Aaron Sluchinski, left, and Skip Kevin Koe study the house during Draw 14 at the Montana's Brier Canadian men's curling championship, in St. John's on Wednesday.Paul Daly/The Canadian Press