Jacobs off to Tour Challenge final

Brad Jacobs is off to the final at the Tour Challenge, the latest Grand Slam of Curling event, in Thunder Bay, Ont.

The Jacobs rink, which includes third Ryan Fry, second E.J. Harnden and lead Ryan Harnden, beat Switzerland’s Peter de Cruz 6-3 on Saturday night in semifinal action to advance to Sunday’s final.

Jacobs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second end with the hammer.

After de Cruz scored a pair in the fifth end to pull to within one, Jacobs would score a pair in the sixth end to seal the win.

In Sunday’s final, Jacobs will face Edmonton’s Brendan Bottcher, who advanced thanks to a 5-2 semifinal win over Glenn Howard of Penetanguishene, Ont.

Jacobs advanced to the semifinal with an afternoon win over reigning Olympic gold medalist John Shuster.

The Jacobs rink scored one in the eighth end after Shuster tied the game at six with three of his own in the seventh end.

De Cruz got to the semifinal thanks to a win over Calgary’s Kevin Koe in other quarterfinal action. De Cruz beat Koe by a 7-6 score.

Howard upset previously unbeaten Brad Gushue of St. John’s Nfld. while Bottcher got to the semifinal after a win over American Rich Ruohonen in the quarters.

Sunday’s men’s final is set for 4 p.m.