Team Brad Jacobs embraced the mantra “just make eight” all season, and in the final end of the 2025 Montana’s Brier, they did just that—securing a dramatic national title. Down by one with hammer, Jacobs executed eight flawless shots, culminating in a game-winning pick for three points to defeat Manitoba’s Matt Dunstone 5-3.
“It’s one of the best ends we’ve played all week,” said coach Paul Webster. “But they had 25 of those ends all week. They’ve been playing like Brier champs all week. We just had to put that final end together.”
Dunstone’s crucial miss in the ninth forced his team to a single, setting up a tense final end. With Alberta teammates Ben Hebert, Brett Gallant, and Marc Kennedy laying the foundation, Jacobs executed a soft tap to sit four. Dunstone’s exposed freeze attempt allowed Jacobs to capitalize, sealing his first Brier championship since 2013. A roaring Hebert slid down the ice in celebration, embracing Jacobs, while Kennedy and Gallant hugged near the rings.
“We didn’t celebrate too many big shots or big moments all week,” Jacobs said. “We were very calm, cool, and collected. I think at the end it was just all of it coming out of us all at once.”
Jacobs, who joined the team last spring, replaced Brendan Bottcher in a move designed to strengthen their championship potential.
“It was a first-line centre for a first-line centre,” Webster noted. “But it was just for moments like this. He made so many end-saving shots.”
Alberta dominated the round-robin, finishing undefeated before rebounding from a qualification loss with four consecutive elimination-game wins, including a 7-5 semifinal triumph over Canada’s Brad Gushue.
“We have a never-quit attitude,” Jacobs said. “We know that we’re going to fight all the way through to the end no matter what.”
Dunstone opened the game with hammer, leading to four blanked ends before drawing for two after Jacobs missed a double takeout. Jacobs responded with a single, then stole a point when Dunstone’s double jammed.
“Down the stretch, they just placed rocks better than us,” Dunstone admitted.
Manitoba managed a ninth-end single but surrendered the hammer for the 10th, where Alberta executed flawlessly.
“The 10th was a dream because we made eight in a row,” Hebert said. “Normally, when you make eight shots in a row with hammer, you’re going to get a deuce.”
Kennedy claimed his fourth Brier title, while Gallant and Hebert each earned their fifth. Dunstone, devastated, lamented his performance.
“I’m just completely heartbroken for my team,” he said. “I wasn’t good enough for them down the stretch.”
Gushue had an opportunity to eliminate Jacobs in the semifinal but overthrew his final shot, missing a tap attempt.
“We got the biggest break of the year,” Jacobs acknowledged.
Gushue’s defeat ended his pursuit of a record-setting fourth straight Brier title.
“I just overthrew that last rock,” Gushue admitted. “I threw it six feet harder than what I needed to throw it. It’s just unfortunate.”
Jacobs and Team Alberta will represent Canada at the 2026 Brier in St. John’s, N.L., and the March 29-April 6 BKT World Men’s Curling Championship in Moose Jaw, Sask. They also claimed $108,000 from the $300,000 prize pool, while Dunstone’s squad earned $60,000 and Gushue’s rink took home $40,000.
A sellout crowd of 5,483 in the final boosted total attendance to 89,108. Meanwhile, Ottawa’s Rachel Homan will represent Canada at the upcoming world women’s playdowns in South Korea after her Scotties Tournament of Hearts victory.
Source: Swifteradio.com
