Matt Dunstone (Image Credit: Andrew Klaver/Curling Canada)

By Marty Hastings

ON PEBBLED ICE

Dunstone clinches Brier playoff berth, aims for win in round-robin finale to secure second place

Mar 5, 2026 | 10:58 AM

ST. JOHN’S, NFLD. — With a 9-3 win over Northern Ontario on Thursday (March 5) morning, Kamloops skip Matt Dunstone and his Manitoba team have clinched a berth in the Brier playoffs in St. John’s, Nfld.  

Dunstone earned a 6-5 victory over Yukon on Wednesday, winning the game with his last rock in the 10th end. On Thursday morning, his team scored five in the first end and cruised to handshakes after eight ends, improving to six wins and one loss at the tournament.  

“Yesterday, we played well,” Dunstone said. “Yukon played really well. It’s still a game we controlled the whole way and had hammer in the 10th end. We’ll take that every time against anybody. Today, we were just very sharp, had a good feel for the ice, cracked open a big end early and ran with it from there.” 

Kevin Koe and his undefeated Alberta rink have locked up first place in Pool B. Dunstone can clinch second place with a victory on Thursday night over Mike McEwen of Saskatchewan (5-2). 

The second-place finisher will earn an extra life in the playoffs and a more desirable path to the final, while the third-place finisher will be in must-win mode for the rest of the tournament. 

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“These are the exact opportunities you want in these type of events, playing some of the best under the bright lights in front of a big crowd in the evening draw,” Dunstone said. “We’re excited for it. We’re no strangers. We play these guys a million times a year. Hopefully, we come out on top.”  

Meanwhile, Team B.C. and its three Kamloops Curling Club members fell 11-4 to Koe’s Alberta rink (7-0) this morning. 

B.C. (1-6) will finish its Brier schedule on Thursday night with a game against New Brunswick (4-3). 

The playoffs are scheduled to get underway on Friday.