Manitoba Clinches Historic Victory at Canadian Men’s Curling Championship
In an electrifying finale hosted in St.John’s, Matt Dunstone led Manitoba to their inaugural Canadian men’s curling championship triumph, edging out Alberta’s Kevin Koe wiht a final score of 6-3.
A Story of Determination adn Steady Progress
After narrowly missing the title in previous years-finishing second in both 2023 and 2025, and securing third place in 2020 and 2021-Dunstone finally captured the prestigious Brier trophy. Reflecting on this milestone, the Winnipeg-based skip shared that “achieving this feels far more extraordinary than I ever imagined.”
He emphasized how past disappointments shaped his mindset: “Repeated setbacks taught me to embrace the challenge without fear because I now understand what to expect.”
The Team Poised for Global Portrayal
The championship-winning lineup features skip Matt Dunstone alongside Colton Lott, E.J. Harnden, and Ryan harnden. This quartet will proudly represent Canada at the upcoming men’s world curling championship scheduled from March 27 to April 4 in Ogden, Utah.
This victory marks notable milestones for each member: Lott celebrates his first Brier win after previously capturing a canadian junior title with Dunstone a decade ago; E.J.Harnden secures his fourth national crown; while Ryan Harnden adds another accolade following his initial triumph back in 2013.
A Fierce Battle Against an Unbeaten Foe
Koe entered Sunday’s final undefeated but encountered formidable resistance from Manitoba’s squad.The early stages were tightly contested with three blank ends within six frames and Alberta holding a slim lead of 2-1 heading into the seventh end.
the momentum shifted dramatically when Koe missed a pivotal runback shot, opening the door for Dunstone’s team to capitalize by scoring multiple points-a rare feat against such a dominant adversary during this tournament.
Dunstone described seizing this possibility as “our moment to shine,” executing precise shots that yielded three crucial points for Manitoba as they advanced into later ends.
tactical Brilliance Secures Championship Win
- Dunstone expertly maneuvered stones into optimal scoring positions while maintaining relentless pressure behind guards;
- Koe responded mostly with single-point plays despite strategic attempts;
- A critical ninth end saw Manitoba widen their lead after Koe faltered on an essential draw shot;
- The decisive tenth end featured Dunstone delivering an impeccable takeout that clinched victory amid roaring applause as he celebrated on his knees.
statistical Excellence Highlights Team Performance Under Pressure
Dunstone achieved an outstanding shooting accuracy of 94% during the final compared to Koe’s solid yet lower mark of 86%. Overall team shooting percentages favored Manitoba (90%) over Alberta (85%), underscoring their superior precision when it mattered most.
E.J. harnden Honored as MVP During Farewell Season
E.J., who announced this season would be his last competitive year, expressed profound satisfaction: “Winning my final Brier was always my dream-it’s incredibly challenging but deeply fulfilling.”
A Family Legacy Cemented Through Curling Success
E.J.’s brother Ryan also celebrated adding another national title after previously winning alongside Kevin Koe in 2013. Their post-match embrace symbolized not only familial bonds but also over ten years of shared elite-level dedication:
“I’m far from finished,” said E.J., “and being part of Matt and Colton’s first titles makes this achievement even more meaningful.”
Curling Draws record Crowds Amid Rising Popularity
This year’s Brier attracted approximately 143,100 spectators-the highest attendance since St. John’s last hosted seven years ago when around 122,592 fans attended.
Beyond Glory: Prize Earnings & Future Prospects
- The champions took home $100,000 from a prize pool exceeding $300,000;
- This victory guarantees them automatic qualification as defending champions for next year’s Brier set in Saskatoon;
- dunstone’s rink notably ousted reigning Olympic champion Brad Jacobs during semifinals before facing off against Koe again for gold;
- This success serves both as redemption following last year’s Olympic trials disappointment and motivation heading toward international competition later this spring.
