Jacobs rink takes 1-1 record into day three in Ottawa

A quick look at the standings through two days at the 2017 Roar of the Rings curling tournament in Ottawa will tell you a 1-1 record is not a bad thing by any means. 

Among the teams with at least one win through two days at the Canadian Olympic trials are world champions and Olympic medalists.

One of those teams is Sault Ste. Marie’s Brad Jacobs and his team from the Community First Curling Centre after an 8-6 extra end loss to Kevin Koe of Calgary in Sunday’s morning draw.

The loss leaves the Sault rink, which includes third Ryan Fry, second E.J. Harnden, lead Ryan Harnden and alternate Peter Steski, with a 1-1 record heading into day three of the nine-day event.

With the hammer in the extra end, Jacobs was heavy on a draw for the win, leading to Koe stealing the win.

Jacobs would say that the shot will be a motivating factor going forward.

“We should have close that game out. It’s on the skip. I missed my last shot, that’s my job,” Jacobs said in a release via Curling Canada. “We’ll enjoy the rest (ahead of Monday’s game) and just do everything necessary to get ready for the next game. It’s definitely going to fester for the rest of the day. If anything, for me, it’s motivating.”

Koe commented that the miss by Jacobs was “uncharacteristic.”

Jacobs held a 4-2 lead through six ends before Koe tied it with a deuce in the seventh. The two teams would trade deuces in the final two ends to set up the extra.

Team Jacobs will face Brad Gushue of St. John’s, Nfld. in the evening draw on Monday at 7 p.m.

Round robin continues at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa throughout the week before wrapping up on Friday night. 

If needed, tie-breakers are set for Dec. 9 with the women’s semifinal at 2 p.m. and the men’s semifinal to follow at 7 p.m. The women’s final is set for Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. with the men’s final to follow at 7 p.m.