KELOWNA, B.C. — Brad Jacobs of Alberta triumphed over Manitoba's Reid Carruthers with a narrow 6-5 victory during the Page playoff 3-4 game at Montana's Brier on Saturday afternoon. Jacobs' nail-biting win secured him a spot at the semifinals, where he will compete for the national curling championship.
During the tense match at Prospera Place on March 8, 2025, Jacobs had to dig deep after conceding two points to Carruthers after the ninth end, leaving him needing to score just once more to claim victory. With the hammer advantage, Jacobs executed his strategy perfectly, scoring during the tenth end to capture the win and keep his championship dreams alive.
Following the game, Jacobs shared his confidence, stating, "We're in a pretty good spot. We're giving ourselves every opportunity... I'm just really confident in the guys." His enthusiasm reflected the determination and preparation his team had put in throughout the tournament.
This year, Jacobs' team performed remarkably well, wrapping up the round-robin stage with an impressive 8-0 record. Their only setback came during Friday's early qualifier match against defending champion Brad Gushue, where they suffered a 7-4 defeat. Later on the same day, Jacobs bounced back, defeating Nova Scotia's Owen Purcell 10-6, positioning them for success heading toward the playoffs.
Jacobs' semifinal will take place on Sunday morning, March 9, and he will meet the loser of the Page 1-2 game between Matt Dunstone from Manitoba and reigning champion Gushue. The match was scheduled for the evening of March 8 and holds significance as the winner will advance directly to the final.
Reflecting on the atmosphere, Alberta vice Marc Kennedy noted, "We've worked really hard to get here. I think we're comfortable with our preparation. We'll just go out there and play loose and let 'er fly." This sentiment echoed throughout the Jacobs team, whose synergy and resolute spirit has become apparent during the Brier.
The match was attended by nearly sellout crowd of 5,309 spectators, who were treated to excellent curling from both teams. Early exceptional shot-making by Carruthers kept the game competitive, as he demonstrated impressive skills with demanding shots. Jacobs managed to maintain his lead with tactical precision, showcasing why he was ranked second nationally.
Despite the setback Carruthers faced, he expressed pride over his team's performance throughout the week, stating, "It's obviously disappointing losing... We had a hell of a week." Carruthers entered the playoff after securing his own 6-2 record during the round-robin phase.
Both Jacobs and Carruthers are well-established curlers, with Jacobs' last Brier title coming back in 2013. Carruthers, who won the tournament as part of Jeff Stoughton's team back in 2011, is also seeking his first title as skip, adding more tension to the competition.
With Gushue vying for his unprecedented seventh Brier title and Dunstone striving to overcome past defeats—having lost to Gushue's team during the 2022 finals—the remaining matches promise to deliver electrifying curling action. The evening game between Gushue and Dunstone is bound to play a pivotal role, determining the final lineup for Sunday’s grand finale.
Wrapping up the day, the sport community honored longstanding Winnipeg Sun curling writer Ted Wyman, who passed away last November at the age of 58. Wyman was posthumously awarded the prestigious Paul McLean Award, which recognizes influential contributions to the sport. His son accepted the award during the fifth-end break, showing the deep connection his family maintains with curling culture.
On the brink of the final stages of the 2025 Montana's Brier, all eyes will be on the teams prepared to challenge for the national title, as Jacobs, Carruthers, and others rally to etch their names deep within curling history.