Brad Gushue of Newfoundland and Labrador and Brad Jacobs of Team Canada advanced to a crucial elimination playoff at the 2026 Montana's Brier after rebounding from earlier losses on Friday. Gushue defeated Ontario's Jayden King 12-6, while Jacobs beat Manitoba's Braden Calvert 7-3 in evening qualifiers at the Mary Brown's Centre in St. John's. The winner of Saturday's "Battle of the Brads" will advance to Sunday's semifinal.
The 2026 Montana's Brier playoffs intensified on March 6 in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, with key qualifier games determining the path to the championship. In the afternoon Page 1-2 qualifiers, Alberta's Kevin Koe, undefeated at 9-0, defeated reigning Olympic champion Brad Jacobs 7-4, highlighted by Koe's thin double takeout for three points in the seventh end. On the adjacent sheet, Manitoba's Matt Dunstone edged Gushue 7-5 in a 10th-end thriller, capitalizing after Gushue hogged his final guard stone, leaving an open raise for Dunstone's game-winning three.
Gushue, a six-time Brier champion in his 23rd and final appearance, reflected on the error: "Just under-threw it, I guess.... Owe the guys a drink I guess, hogging a rock." Dunstone, savoring the upset before a crowd of over 6,000, said, "Ever since I knew this Brier was going to be in St. John's, that's the moment I wanted. Very cool."
In the evening Page 3-4 qualifiers, Gushue bounced back with a 12-6 victory over 23-year-old rookie Jayden King, scoring three in the seventh and four in the ninth to secure the win. "We're getting down to the nitty-gritty here," Gushue said. "There's not going to be too many games. Once we lose, we are done, so trying to enjoy every moment."
Jacobs, fresh off Olympic gold in Cortina d'Ampezzo less than two weeks prior, overcame fatigue to defeat Calvert 7-3, stealing ends after a key runback in the fourth. "I'm done with this day," Jacobs admitted. "That was a long day. We're exhausted and just ready for bed."
Koe, 51 and named first-team all-star skip with 89% accuracy, and Dunstone (8-1) will clash Saturday evening for a direct final berth, while Gushue (9-1) faces Jacobs (8-1)—their 69th career matchup, with Gushue leading 35-33—in a noon elimination game. The Brier winner represents Canada at the world championship in Ogden, Utah, from March 27 to April 4.