Image credit: Curling Canada

By Marty Hastings

THE BRIER

Dunstone looking for momentum at Montana’s Brier

Mar 4, 2024 | 2:30 PM

REGINA — Kamloops skip Matt Dunstone is determined to find the superlative form it will take to get over the hump at the Montana’s Brier.

“I’m definitely fighting it a little bit right now,” Dunstone said before Day 4 action got underway on Monday (March 4) at the national men’s curling championship in Regina.

“I’m drawing great, but I’m just not super precise with the hits yet. I’ve come to learn that it’s a very long week. As long as you find it before it’s too late, then you’ve always got a chance.”

Dunstone and his Manitoba team that includes third B.J. Neufeld, second Colton Lott and lead Ryan Harnden claimed silver at the Brier last year in London, Ont., falling 7-5 to Brad Gushue and Team Canada in the gold-medal tilt.

The Winnipeg-born Kamloopsian — who skipped Saskatchewan to third-place finishes in 2020 and 2021 — is aiming to gain momentum after an 8-5 victory over B.C. on Sunday, a win spurred by Dunstone’s eighth-end freeze that averted disaster.

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“We were in danger of giving up four,” Dunstone said. “I kind of had that moment. That was a confidence-booster. I definitely know it’s there.”

Dunstone (2-1) throttled Yukon (1-2) on Monday afternoon, earning a 15-2 victory in their only draw of the day.

The Manitoba rink is scheduled to play once on Tuesday, a 7:00 a.m. start against New Brunswick (0-3).

Results this season have left Dunstone feeling tepid about the season to date, despite first-, second- and third-place finishes on tour.

“With the events we play in, we’re playing against the top teams in the world,” Dunstone said. “When you get a chance against them, you’ve got to capitalize on those to win those games. And that’s just something, throwing last rocks like I have been, that I just haven’t been able to do yet.”

Team Dunstone qualified for the Brier on the back of results posted last season.

This year, the rink is 10th in men’s World Curling Federation rankings and fourth in men’s Canadian Team Ranking System points.

“We made the final last year and we’ve beaten every single top team in the world this year,” Dunstone said. “It’s not as sharp as I want it to be right now, but I’m still very confident and still know this team has exactly what it takes to win this event.”