Jacobs rink drops tough decision at trials

As the 2017 Roar of the Rings continues with action on day four in Ottawa, the standings have begun to take on an added importance.

With just the top three teams on the men’s and women’s sides earning playoff spots, the tournament has reached a point where teams can separate themselves and remain in the hunt for Olympic berths on the line.

On the men’s side, Sault Ste. Marie’s Brad Jacobs and his team from the Community First Curling Centre remains in the playoff hunt, but things won’t get any easier after a tough 8-6 loss to Steve Laycock of Saskatoon on Tuesday afternoon.

The loss leaves the Jacobs rink, which includes third Ryan Fry, second E.J. Harnden, lead Ryan Harnden and alternate Peter Steski at 2-2 heading into Wednesday.

Jacobs would jump out to a very early 4-0 lead after a draw by Matt Dunstone, who throws skip stones for the Laycock rink, came up short in the first end, leading to a big steal.

The Jacobs rink led 6-2 through five ends before the Laycock rink would battle back into the game with a deuce in the sixth and a steal of one in the seventh to make it 6-5. Laycock would then steal three more in the ninth end to seal the win.

Following afternoon action on Tuesday afternoon, three teams have 2-2 records while Laycock also remains in the mix at 2-3.

Brad Gushue (St. John’s, Nfld.) and Reid Carruthers (Winnipeg), also sport 2-2 records and were set to face each other in Tuesday’s evening draw.

Jacobs is set to return to action on Wednesday in the afternoon draw against Brendan Bottcher of Edmonton

Round robin action continues until Friday at the Canadian Tire Centre.

The top three teams on both the men’s and women’s side earn playoff spots. First place gets an automatic berth in the tournament final on Sunday while the remaining two teams meet in semifinal action on Saturday. The men’s final is set for 7 p.m. with the women’s final earlier in the day at 2 p.m.

The winners will represent Canada at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea in the new year.