The 2025 Montana’s Brier concluded with Alberta’s Brad Jacobs defeating Manitoba’s Matt Dunstone on March 9, 2025, at Prospera Place, Kelowna. This championship marked the end of 10 days of top-tier curling, showcasing Canada’s best male athletes.
Jacobs’ path to this victory showcased his strategic prowess, especially when he secured his spot by taking down the defending champion, Brad Gushue, with a 7-5 win during the semifinal earlier on the same day. This match was significant, not just for Jacobs, who last played in the finals of the Canadian men’s curling championship ten years ago, but also for Gushue, who aimed for his fourth consecutive title.
“That was a heavyweight bout,” Jacobs reflected post-game. His semifinal against Gushue was heated, featuring key shots like Jacobs’ pinpoint angle-raise double-takeout, which earned him three points during the eighth end. Gushue, on the other hand, had his chances for victory, only to underthrow his last rock making it six feet heavier than necessary.
Brad Gushue, now facing disappointment after falling short, expressed his feelings about the loss: “A lot of disappointment and heartbreak for my teammates… I feel bad for my teammates because they put me in a position to win.” Gushue’s loss not only meant the end of his championship run but also halted his team’s hopes of entering the history books with a record seventh Canadian title.
This year’s Brier confirmed the dominance of the top teams, with the teams skipped by Jacobs, Dunstone, Mike McEwen, and Gushue ranking one through four on the Canadian Team Ranking System. They finished with impressive round-robin records of 29-3, indicating their ability to outperform their competitors easily.
But what became clear during the Brier was the rising talent among young curlers. Teams led by Owen Purcell, Ryan Kleiter, and Sam Mooibroek proved they could compete fiercely with seasoned players, hinting at exciting developments for future competitions. Purcell’s Nova Scotia team surprising many by making the playoffs showcased the depth and potential within the sport.
It was not just the young players who made waves; Reid Carruthers also proved he should be considered among the elite. The veteran skip eliminated McEwen and fought hard against Jacobs during their playoff match, almost stealing the win.
Despite lineup changes for many teams, such as Jacobs’ acquisition of players Catlin Schneider and B.J. Neufeld, the Brier revealed how teams could effectively regroup and maintain their competitive edge. Jacob’s adjustment from losing his long-time skip Brendan Bottcher to finding the right team chemistry was pivotal for his success.
Jacobs expressed how long he had been waiting for his chance to return, stating, “It’s been a long time and it feels like we put in a lot of hard work and effort to get here.” For Jacobs, this victory against Dunstone was not only about the title but also about redemption and the culmination of years of hard work.
The championship game against Dunstone was set for later on the same day, emphasizing the energy and excitement surrounding the Brier. With so much talent on display and significant stakes, it was clear curling fans were treated to not just another tournament but rather the potential emergence of new legends of the sport.
This Brier will also serve as significant preparation for the winner to represent Canada at the upcoming 2025 BKT World Men’s Curling Championship scheduled for March 29 to April 6, 2025, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
Fans were invited to keep track of the live scoring and standings throughout the Brier, with coverage available on TSN and RDS2.
With thrilling matches and unexpected outcomes, the 2025 Montana’s Brier not only crowned Jacobs as the champion but also highlighted the evolution and bright future of men's curling across Canada.