Recent Brier finalists Matt Dunstone and Mike McEwen started their campaign strong with victories in the second round of games on Saturday in St. John’s. Dunstone’s Manitoba team, runners-up in 2025 and 2023, secured a 5-3 win against New Brunswick’s Dean Grattan. On the other hand, McEwen, who finished as the runner-up in 2024, triumphed over Jamie Koe of the Northwest Territories with a score of 11-5.
Expressing his team’s determination for a title, Dunstone highlighted the experience and readiness of his squad for the intense competition. McEwen, who faced an early exit in the 2025 playoffs despite a strong round-robin performance, dominated his match by stealing points in crucial ends.
Additionally, Kevin Koe and his Alberta team clinched an 8-2 victory over Braden Calvert’s Manitoba rink after a strategic four-point seventh end. Koe, a four-time Canadian men’s curling champion, sealed the win with a steal in the eighth end.
In another exciting game, Northern Ontario’s Sandy MacEwan secured a narrow 9-8 win over Yukon’s Thomas Scoffin after stealing a crucial point in the final end. The action-packed day also saw six-time Canadian champion Brad Gushue and Jayden King’s Ontario foursome each secure their second wins of the tournament.
The competition remains fierce as defending champions, including Brad Jacobs, battle it out in the quest for the prestigious Canadian men’s curling title. The excitement continues with three more draws scheduled for Sunday at the Mary Brown’s Centre.