McEwen wins National final over Jacobs (14 photos)

Brad Jacobs’ bid for his first grand slam title came up just short on Sunday evening.

Team Jacobs (skip Brad Jacobs, third Ryan Fry, second E.J. Harnden and lead Ryan Harnden) dropped a 5-2 decision to Mike McEwen’s rink from Winnipeg, Man.

Trailing by two heading into the eighth end, Jacobs attempted an angle run-back with his final shot to score two but couldn’t clear the McEwen stone near the button, leaving a steal of one and the win for McEwen.

“Unfortunately we didn’t bring our best effort today and we didn’t get any breaks and that’s what happens, you lose as a result of that,” Jacobs said. “It was a really fun event for us. To be 1-2 and then make it all the way to the final is something for us to build off.”

McEwen said following the win, he was prepared for an extra end as Jacobs prepared for his final stone of the end.

“Before he threw it, I was preparing for an extra end,” McEwen said. “I was preparing for him to make it. I knew he’d be close. Then I was actually kind of shocked that he didn’t make it so there was a little bit of an “Oh, we won already.” I was expecting him to make it so I was a little shocked when we initially won.”

After giving up a steal of one in the opening end, McEwen picked up a single in the second end before a steal of one in the third. Jacobs would attempt to re-take the lead in the fourth end. With an opportunity for two in the end, Jacobs played things safe on the final skip shot and would get just one in the end.

“We had an opportunity for two points there so we had to go for it,” Jacobs said. “It was a tough shot. It looked really good coming down. Maybe a little heavier weight than we anticipated on the line call. You almost have to call it the way that we did. We played it a little bit too safe and had we gotten a little more aggressive on the line call we might have made it for two. We missed it but still got the one, which wasn’t too bad.”

After what he felt was a slow start for himself, McEwen said he was pleased with the fact he was able to make some shots late in the win.

“There were some important run-backs and doubles that I came through late in the game,” said McEwen.

Jacobs was appreciative of the fan support for the final

“The crowd was fantastic,” Jacobs said. “They did everything they could to help us try to win that game. We have to thanks them for coming out. There was a lot of people that came out all week and supported us. Today was the best crowd that I’ve seen in a grand slam in a long time.”

McEwen agreed, saying even when the crowds were cheering on the home team, it was something they could feed off of.

“The fans were phenomenal,” McEwen said. “It was a really fun building to play in. Despite not every really being cheered for, when (Team Jacobs) was on a different sheet and the fans were roaring, it gets everybody pumped to be out here. It was a really exceptional event.”

For McEwen, the tournament win comes after a second place finish at the first Grand Slam of Curling event, The Masters, held earlier this month in Selkirk, Man.

The next Grand Slam event is the Canadian Open, set for Yorkton, Sask. beginning on Dec. 9.

(PHOTO: Skip Brad Jacobs calls out to teammates immediately after throwing the rock during the final game of the National against Team McEwen on November 23, 2014. Team McEwen defeated Team Jacobs 5-2 to win the tournament. Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday)