Jacobs advances to Masters playoff

Brad Jacobs wrapped up the round robin at the first Grand Slam of Curling event of the season on Friday with a key victory.

With a 2-1 record heading into Friday’s action, the Jacobs team, which includes third Ryan Fry, second E.J. Harnden and lead Ryan Harnden, clinched a spot in the playoff round at the Masters in Okotoks, Alta with a 7-5 win over Brendan Bottcher of Edmonton.

The teams traded singles in the opening two ends before Jacobs scored a pair in the third end.

Trailing 3-1, Bottcher scored three in the fifth end to take the lead, only to see Jacobs score three more of his own in the sixth end to take a 6-4 lead.

With the hammer in seven, Bottcher had an opportunity to blank the end to take the hammer into the final end but his shot stuck around to score one, giving Jacobs the hammer and a 6-5 lead into the eighth end, where the Jacobs rink would score one to seal the victory.

The round robin wraps up on Friday evening with playoff action set to begin on Saturday morning.