Jacobs sweeps day five at the Brier

They entered the day with a 2-2 record, but Team Northern Ontario, represented by Sault Ste. Marie’s Brad Jacobs, will move into action on Wednesday at the 2021 Tim Hortons Brier in good position thanks to a pair of victories on Tuesday.

The Jacobs rink, which includes third Marc Kennedy, second E.J. Harnden, lead Ryan Harnden, and alternate Lee Toner, sits at 4-2 through five days at the event.

The day started off with a narrow 8-7 win over Team British Columbia, skipped by Steve Laycock.

The win came as the Jacobs rink scored a pair in the 10th end on a measurement.

With his final shot, Jacobs made a hit and roll, moving a Laycock rock just far enough to help the Northern Ontario rink pick up two in the end for the victory.

The Laycock rink led going into the end thanks to a pair in the eighth end to tie the game at six and then a steal of one more in the ninth to take the lead into the final end.

In media availability shared by Curling Canada following the win over British Columbia, Jacobs said he feels as though rust is no longer a factor for the team.

“We’ve done a great job of anticipating everything,” Jacobs said. “We’ve put together a great plan and we’re at a point where we have to come out each and every game with just a lot of heart. I think the rust is off. We’re throwing the rock great. We’re very close. We’re just going to keep plugging away.”

In Tuesday’s evening draw, Jacobs broke a 5-5 tie with a single in the ninth end before stealing one in the 10th to pick up a 7-5 win over Team Alberta, skipped by Brendan Bottcher.

After winning the earlier game on a measurement, the stolen point in 10 came on a very close call as well, with a Bottcher rock lying near the button as well.

With back-to-back wins for the first time in the tournament, Kennedy said in an interview with Curling Canada following the evening win that the quality of the field has been top notch.

“Destiny is still in our hands, but I think it’s absolutely the quality of the field,” Kennedy said of winning back-to-back games. “I mean, how many games out there are going 10 ends to the last rock. A guy needs a deuce or one to win. We’re seeing some incredible curling.”

Jacobs noted continued improvement for the Northern Ontario rink as the event has moved on.

“We had a great day,” Jacobs said in an interview with Curling Canada following the win over Bottcher. “We’re getting stronger and stronger. We’re getting more and more comfortable with the ice. I really like what I’m seeing from the three guys in front of me. They’re making lots of shots. There’s good communication and a lot of fight in us.”

Next up for the Jacobs rink is a meeting with Team Manitoba, skipped by Jason Gunnlaugson, on Wednesday afternoon in a 3:30 p.m. (eastern time) start.

Other Pool A scores from the morning draw saw Team Manitoba beat Team Northwest Territories, skipped by Greg Skauge, 7-4.

Team New Brunswick, skipped by James Grattan, beat Team Yukon, skipped by Dustin Mikkelsen 8-3.

Team Wild Card3, skipped by Wayne Middaugh in place of an injured Glenn Howard, beat Team Wild Card1, skipped by Mike McEwen, 6-5 thanks to a pair in the 10th end.

Other Pool A action in the evening draw saw the Middaugh/Howard wild card entry score a pair in the 10th again to beat Team British Columbia 4-3.

Team Manitoba beat Team New Brunswick 8-4.

Team Northwest Territories got in the win column with a 9-5 win over Team Yukon.

Standings in Pool A heading into Wednesday are:

1. Team Manitoba (Jason Gunnlaugson): 5-0
2. Team Wild Card2 (Glenn Howard): 4-1
3. Team New Brunswick (James Grattan): 4-2
4. Team Northern Ontario (Brad Jacobs): 4-2
5. Team Alberta (Brendan Bottcher): 3-2
6. Team Wild Card1 (Mike McEwen): 2-3
7. Team British Columbia (Steve Laycock): 1-4
8. Team Northwest Territories (Gregory Skauge): 1-4)
9. Team Yukon (Dustin Mikkelsen): 0-6

Pool B saw four games on Tuesday.

Team Ontario, skipped by John Epping, scored five in the third end to open up a 6-1 lead en route to a 9-4 win over Team Newfoundland and Labrador, skipped by Greg Smith.

Team Prince Edward Island, skipped by Eddie MacKenzie, scored three in the ninth end in a 7-4 win over Team Nunavut, skipped by Peter Mackey.

Team Canada, skipped by Brad Gushue, beat Team Nova Scotia, skipped by Scott McDonald, 8-6. McDonald is filling in at the event for Jamie Murphy.

Team Saskatchewan, skipped by Matt Dunstone, beat Team Quebec, skipped by Michael Fournier, 9-6.

Standings in Pool B following Tuesday’s action are:

1. Team Wild Card2 (Kevin Koe): 5-0
2. Team Ontario (John Epping): 4-1
3. Team Saskatchewan (Matt Dunstone): 4-1
4. Team Canada (Brad Gushue): 2-2
5. Team Nova Scotia (Scott McDonald): 3-3
6. Team Quebec (Michael Fournier): 3-3
7. Team Prince Edward Island (Eddie McKenzie): 1-4
8. Team Newfoundland and Labrador (Greg Smith): 1-5
9. Team Nunavut (Peter Mackey): 0-5

The top four teams in each pool will advance to the Championship Pool, which is set for Friday and Saturday.

Following the conclusion of the Championship Pool, the top three teams will advance to the playoff round and the team with the best record at that point will advance directly into the final on Sunday night.