Manitoba, skipped by Matt Dunstone, emerged victorious in the 2026 Montana's Brier, defeating Alberta, skipped by Kevin Koe, by a score of 6-3 in the championship final held on Sunday, March 8. The victory marks a significant win for Dunstone's team in the prestigious men's curling championship.
Dunstone's Manitoba squad secured the Brier title after a tense playoff run that saw them navigate through several elimination rounds. The team previously overcame Team Canada, skipped by Brad Jacobs, in the semifinal with a 7-3 victory. Earlier in the playoffs, Manitoba had faced Alberta in the Page 1/2 Playoff on Saturday, March 7, where Koe's team had taken a narrow 9-7 win. However, Manitoba rebounded in the final to claim the championship.
The playoff structure saw the top teams from pool play compete in a series of elimination games. The Page Playoff system began with qualifiers on Friday, March 6. In the Page 1/2 Qualifier, Manitoba (Dunstone) defeated Newfoundland and Labrador (Gushue) 7-5, while Alberta (Koe) bested Canada (Jacobs) 7-4. The Page 3/4 Qualifier saw Canada triumph over Manitoba (Calvert) 7-3, and Newfoundland and Labrador (Gushue) defeat Ontario 12-6.
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The subsequent Page 3/4 Playoff on Saturday, March 7, featured Canada narrowly defeating Newfoundland and Labrador (Gushue) 7-5. The Page 1/2 Playoff that evening saw Alberta secure their spot in the final by defeating Manitoba (Dunstone) 9-7. This set up the semifinal match on Sunday, March 8, where Manitoba (Dunstone) faced Canada, ultimately winning 7-3.
The Brier championship is an annual event determining Canada's representative at the World Curling Championships. Broadcasts of the Brier were available across Canada on the 'TSN' networks.
Playoff Path Unfolds
The road to the final was marked by several notable matchups and results:
Pool Play and Qualifiers
Pool play concluded to determine the playoff contenders. Among the teams that reached the playoffs were Manitoba (Dunstone), Manitoba (Calvert), Newfoundland and Labrador (Gushue), Canada (Jacobs), Alberta (Koe), and Ontario (King).
Friday, March 6 - Page 1/2 Qualifier:
Manitoba (Dunstone) 7, Newfoundland and Labrador (Gushue) 5
Alberta (Koe) 7, Canada (Jacobs) 4
Friday, March 6 - Page 3/4 Qualifier:
Canada (Jacobs) 7, Manitoba (Calvert) 3
Newfoundland and Labrador (Gushue) 12, Ontario (King) 6
Knockout Rounds
The intensity heightened as the playoff rounds progressed:
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Saturday, March 7 - Page 3/4 Playoff:
Canada (Jacobs) 7, Newfoundland and Labrador (Gushue) 5
Saturday, March 7 - Page 1/2 Playoff:
Alberta (Koe) 9, Manitoba (Dunstone) 7
Sunday, March 8 - Semifinal:
Manitoba (Dunstone) 7, Canada (Jacobs) 3
Sunday, March 8 - Final:
Manitoba (Dunstone) 6, Alberta (Koe) 3
Tournament Background
The 2026 Montana's Brier, held in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, showcased a competitive field of Canada's top men's curling teams. The event is a cornerstone of the Canadian curling calendar, drawing significant attention and viewership. Previous Brier champions include teams skipped by Brad Gushue, who had secured six titles in the preceding eight years, and Brad Jacobs, whose Team Canada was a prominent contender in this year's playoffs. Kevin Koe's Alberta team had won the championship the year prior.