Family, teammates rally around Dunstone after heartbreaking Brier defeat

Skip Brad Jacobs and Alberta – which never carried a lead through nine ends – scored three in the 10th end to prevail 5-3 and earn the right to represent Canada at the BKT World Men’s Curling Championship, which gets underway on March 29 in Moose Jaw.

“We’re going to play hard to bring a gold back for our country,” said Jacobs, whose team became the first in Brier history to win four elimination games en route to the title.

Dunstone opened the game at sold-out Prospera Place with hammer and kept it until the fifth end, when his Manitoba rink – which includes third Colton Lott, second E.J. Harnden and lead Ryan Harnden – scored two to take a 2-0 lead.

Jacobs was forced to one in the sixth end and Dunstone was in position to take control with last rock in the seventh end, but his hit attempt that had potential to score two or three did not land and Alberta stole one.

After a blank in the eighth, Dunstone flashed with his first rock in the ninth and scored one, securing the point with a must-make draw under pressure with last rock.

Alberta was flawless in the 10th end, with lead Ben Hebert, second Brett Gallant, third Marc Kennedy and Jacobs making shot after shot to ice the contest and hoist the Tankard.

“I just feel really bad for him [Dunstone] right now, truly,” Team Dunstone mental performance coach Adam Kingsbury said after the game. “I just want to go sit with him. Sit there with him, hug him, share how we all feel about him, how he’s a great leader and one of the best people we’ve ever met.”

Dunstone’s formidable run at the Brier included two victories over three-time defending champion Brad Gushue and Team Canada, one in the round-robin finale and the other in the Page 1-2 game.

In the Battle of Manitoba, a crucial round-robin tilt that featured former teammates jostling on national televison, Dunstone earned an 8-6 win over Team Carruthers.

But the win they wanted most did not materialize – and sorrow was all over the faces of loved ones.

“Matt feels his emotion on his sleeve,” said Dunstone’s mother, a tearful Wendi Russell. “As you can tell, you know where he is getting it from. It’s painful, but he will get better from it. I just know it. I just hug him. He knows he has our total support.”

Dunstone’s partner Erin Pincott – a four-time national Scotties participant with Team Brown – commiserated with pride.

“Obviously, it’s very heartbreaking to have him make it so far and come up that little bit short,” said an emotional Pincott. “I know right now he’s going to be devastated, so it’s just a little heartbreaking for us family in the stands.

“Very proud, obviously. He played incredible and with the way he carried himself, win or loss, I’m super proud and friends and family here are, as well.”

Third Colton Lott, twice a national junior champion with Dunstone, was convinced this was their year to break through at the Brier.

“It’s just not a good feeling at all, leaving it out there and coming up short,” Lott said. “It truly sucks. We’ll have a few drinks and stay together as a team.”

Dunstone is a two-time silver medallist and two-time bronze medallist at the Brier.

Gold continues to elude The Sheriff.

“Next year, you know what, look out,” Dunstone’s mom Wendi said. “We’re going to be walking with that flag. It’s time for us to have that Maple Leaf. The boys are there.”

Added Pincott: “I have no doubt in my mind he’ll be up there [atop the podium] one day, so I’m looking forward to when it happens, for sure.”

by Marty Hastings

Family, teammates rally around Dunstone after heartbreaking Brier defeat

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