Alberta’s Team Jacobs has made it to the semifinals of the 2025 Montana’s Brier after narrowly defeating Team Carruthers 6-5 during the Page playoff 3-4 match held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Prospera Place, Kelowna, British Columbia. With this victory, Jacobs and his crew have validated their hard work and determination to reach the final Sunday of the prestigious national curling championship.
"It’s been a long time since I’ve played at the Brier on a (closing) Sunday, so we can check that's off again, which is nice. I know the guys are super jacked about getting it win and being able to play tomorrow," said Jacobs, reflecting on their performance and the excitement surrounding the upcoming matches.
Last year, Jacobs, along with Reid Carruthers, participated under separate banners but faced disappointment after losing both Page qualifying games. This season, the atmosphere is different: after restructuring the team and setting clear goals, Jacobs leads his new squad with impressive focus. His unwavering aim has been to not just compete, but strive to become the best team globally.
Team Carruthers, on the other hand, also demonstrated great tenacity, having made strong adjustments of their own by bringing on players like Catlin Schneider and vice-skip B.J. Neufeld earlier this year. Carruthers expressed his frustration at their performance during the loss but maintained admiration for Jacobs’ team: "It's obviously disappointing losing, but we lost to a great team and there's a lot to be proud of. We had a hell of a week,” Carruthers said.
The semifinal matchup will take place on March 9, 2025, against the loser from the Page playoff 1-2 game between Manitoba’s Matt Dunstone and Team Canada, led by Brad Gushue. Jacobs' side will be vying to seize the opportunity and advance to the finals, with sight set on the Brier title. The semifinal is set for 11 AM, and the deciding final will occur later the same day at 5 PM.
Jacobs showed impressive composure during his match, which saw him take the lead early only to face challenges as the game progressed. After yielding two points to Carruthers late, Jacobs used his hammer strategy effectively to score the final point and clinch the win.
His teammate, vice-skip Marc Kennedy, commented on their preparations and confidence, stating, "We’ve got a lot of faith in one another and know what to say to one another. We’re trying to build a team to beat the best teams around the country and the world. And we’ve had a really good season, so we feel good and we feel like we're just continuing to get stronger."
The stakes are high: not only does the tournament crown national champions, but the winning team will also represent Canada at the World Men's Curling Championship, set to take place later this month from March 29 to April 6, 2025, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The first-place team stands to take home $108,000 out of the tournament's total purse of $300,000.
Looking back, Jacobs’s only prior Brier title came back in 2013, and his aspirations for another title are coupled with the importance of proving his new lineup can thrive under pressure. The Alberta team had previously been known as Team Bottcher, yet after the split, new bonds and unbeatable synergy have been cultivated among Jacobs, Kennedy, Brett Gallant, and lead Ben Hebert.
Regarding his performance, Jacobs acknowledged some of the challenges: "I broke my wrist on one (shot) this week. That’s probably the first really bad throw I’ve had, but it was also due to the ice getting a little bit flat. I put the broom down and we got half shots where all week we haven’t had any issues, so it was disappointing.”
Despite the hardships faced, Jacobs expressed confidence as they prepare for their next contest. It was also an emotional moment at the event when Ted Wyman, longtime curling writer, was honored posthumously with the Paul McLean Award, recognizing his significant contributions to the sport before his passing at age 58.
With Jacobs' eyes set on the top step of the Brier podium, the semifinal match promises to be another pivotal chapter for Team Jacobs. Fans eagerly await to see if they can secure their spot and continue their quest for curling glory.