Jacobs assured of semifinal berth at provincial playdowns

The third day of round robin action at the Northern Ontario Curling Association provincials in Nipigon, Ont. saw a pair of unbeaten teams meet in Friday’s evening draw.

For Sault Ste. Marie’s Brad Jacobs, a split on Friday assures him of a playoff spot at the event.

Jacobs sports a 5-1 record after dropping a 9-6 decision to Tanner Horgan of Curl Sudbury on Friday night.

The Jacobs rink, which includes third Ryan Fry, second E.J. Harnden, and lead Ryan Harnden, has clinched a semifinal berth by virtue of its record.

Horgan remains unbeaten with a 6-0 record thanks to the win and assured himself a spot directly into Sunday’s final.

Jacobs opened up a 2-0 lead early with a single in the opening end and a steal of one in the second end, but Horgan would erase the lead quickly with a three in the fourth end.

After Jacobs scored a pair to take the lead in the fifth end, Horgan scored three more in the sixth end to take a 6-4 lead.

Jacobs tied the game with a pair in the seventh, but Horgan would take the lead with one in the eighth end before sealing the win with steals of one each in the final two ends.

Jacobs opened action on Friday with a 7-5 win over Dylan Johnston of the Fort William Curling Club in Thunder Bay.

After Johnston got a single with the hammer in the opening end, Jacobs took the lead with a pair in the second end before adding a steal of one in the third.

A single by Johnston in the fourth cut the lead to 3-2 before the teams traded deuces in the subsequent two ends.

Leading 6-5 through eight ends, Jacobs scored a single in the ninth end to seal the win.

Jacobs wraps up the round robin on Saturday morning against Trevor Bonot of the Fort William Curling Club.

The round robin wraps up on Saturday with the top three teams advancing to the playoff round on Sunday.

Jacobs will play in the semifinal on Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. against an opponent that will be determined on Saturday.

The semifinal winner will face Horgan in the final, set for 5:30 p.m.

The tournament winner will represent northern Ontario at the 2019 Tim Hortons Brier in Brandon, Man. in March.