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

By Marty Hastings

ON PEBBLED ICE

Dunstone clinches Brier playoff berth; finishes second in round-robin stage

Mar 5, 2026 | 10:58 AM

ST. JOHN’S, NFLD. — (UPDATE 6:10 p.m.): 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 as they finished a perfect 8-0. Dunstone clinched second place with a 6-3 win over Mike McEwen of Saskatchewan in the Thursday evening draw.

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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.”

His win Thursday sets up a matchup against Newfoundland and Labrador’s Brad Gushue (8-0) in the Page 1/2 Qualifier game at 9:00 a.m. B.C. time Friday morning. The winner will earn a spot in the Page 1/2 game while the loser will play Ontario’s Jayden King in the Page 3/4 Qualifier Friday evening.

Meanwhile, Team B.C. and its three Kamloops Curling Club members closed out the tournament with a 1-7 record following an 8-2 loss to New Brunswick in their final draw. Team B.C. also lost 11-4 to Koe’s Alberta rink this morning.

The playoffs are scheduled to get underway on Friday and wrap up on Sunday.