2024 Brier playoffs feature big names and underdog Jamie Koe of Northwest Territories
Global News
A Koe made the playoffs at the Canadian men's curling championship and it wasn't four-time champion Kevin.
A Koe made the playoffs at the Canadian men’s curling championship and it wasn’t four-time champion Kevin.
Younger brother Jamie skipped a territories team to the Brier playoffs for just the second time in his 17 appearances and first since 2012 by stealing a point in an extra end in a 9-8 win over Prince Edward Island’s Tyler Smith on Thursday.
Smith was attempting to lead P.E.I. into the playoffs for the first time in 28 years. His draw in the 10th end to get to the button wrecked on his own stones above the tee line to give up the steal.
So Northwest Territories (5-3) vaulted over P.E.I. into the final playoff berth in their pool to join Saskatchewan’s Mike McEwen (7-1) and defending champion Brad Gushue (6-2).
“It’s just wild,” said a wet-eyed Koe.
Manitoba’s Reid Carruthers (7-1) and Alberta’s Brendan Bottcher (6-2) and Manitoba’s Matt Dunstone (6-2) emerged from Pool A.
While P.E.I.’s Smith and Northern Ontario’s Trevor Bonot were among their pool’s leaders early in the tournament, the Brier’s playoffs feature five of the tournament’s top six seeds and the 15th-seeded Jamie Koe.
Northern teams are at a competitive disadvantage to their southern counterparts because of a smaller player pool, as well as the extra time and money needed to travel and play tour events.