KELOWNA, B.C. — Matt Dunstone has triumphed over defending champion Brad Gushue, advancing to the Brier final following a thrilling match at Prospera Place on the evening of March 8, 2025. Dunstone, representing Manitoba, secured his spot by defeating Gushue's Team Canada with a score of 7-4, setting the stage for the championship showdown.
The match saw both teams trading points early on. By the sixth end, the score was tied at 4-4, but the tension mounted as neither team could break the deadlock. It wasn’t until the ninth end when Dunstone scored two points, giving him the lead. He sealed his victory by stealing one more point during the tenth end when Gushue, facing pressure, failed to execute the necessary shot for a double-takeout.
“That wasn’t my best throw,” Gushue admitted to reporters after the game. “There was a little bit of a time crunch, and I knew I had to throw it a little harder than I was comfortable with to even have a chance to make it, if it was there at all.” This missed opportunity left Dunstone celebrating as he clinched the win.
Dunstone reflected on the match, expressing satisfaction with his performance particularly noting, “I would say 3that was a fairly makeable shot, and I am surprised it was missed the way it was.” For Dunstone, this victory is especially poignant, as he lost to Gushue in the 2023 Brier final, which also adds to the rivalry narrative between the two. This year, Dunstone is now 2-0 against the seasoned skip at the Brier, having also triumphed 7-6 during Pool A play.
Now, Gushue must regroup as he prepares for the semifinal match against Brad Jacobs and Team Alberta, scheduled for March 9, 2025, at 1 p.m. CST. Gushue understands he has to step up his game to compete effectively: “Jacobs is going to be fired up as they have been playing well. We have to be 3better than we were on Saturday,” he remarked.
On the same day, Jacobs' Team Alberta faced off against Team Carruthers of Manitoba. The match was competitive, with Carruthers clawing back from 5-2 down to tie the game 5-5 before Jacobs edged out with the final point, winning 6-5. With this victory, Jacobs sets the stage for the face-off against Gushue, who is hoping to secure his place back in the final against Dunstone.
With the championship game scheduled for March 9, 2025, at 6 p.m. CST, all eyes will be on Dunstone as he looks to clinch his first Brier title, having exhibited remarkable resilience throughout the event. “It is great to rest up and recharge,” Dunstone said, acknowledging the physical and mental toll of the games. “These are long events, and we have played 10 games in a span 3that feels like a lifetime. These events always come down to who has the most left 3in the tank and we will take the rest where we can.”
For Gushue, who has won six championships, this semifinal match might be pivotal to his hopes of reclaiming his former glory. The stakes are high for both Gushue and Jacobs, all set for what promises to be another thrilling encounter at the Brier.
The Brier, known for its competitive spirit and the high skill showcased by the best Canadian curling teams, continues to deliver exciting sports narratives. The matchup between Dunstone's tenacity and Gushue's experience highlights how thrilling and unpredictable curling can be, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
With only one more day of competition left, curling enthusiasts can anticipate what this final match will hold. Will Dunstone finally claim his elusive first title, or can Gushue bounce back to take his seventh championship? Only time will tell.