Matt Dunstone Secures First Brier Title, Defeating Kevin Koe in St. John’s

Matt Dunstone and his Manitoba curling team claimed the Canadian men’s championship on Sunday, March 8, 2026, defeating Alberta’s Kevin Koe 6-3 in the final held in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. This victory marks Dunstone’s first Brier title after several near misses in recent years.

A Hard-Fought Victory

Dunstone’s team, consisting of Colton Lott, E.J. Harnden, and Ryan Harnden, demonstrated resilience throughout the tournament, culminating in a decisive win against the four-time champion Koe. The final was a tight contest, with three blank ends in the first six, and Koe leading 2-1 going into the seventh end.

Turning Point in the Seventh End

The game shifted in the seventh end when Dunstone capitalized on a missed shot by Koe. A tap and roll by Dunstone to lie three, followed by a light freeze attempt by Koe, allowed Dunstone to score three points and grab a 4-2 lead. Dunstone described the moment as “time to dance,” recognizing a significant opportunity.

Dominating Performance in the Ninth End

Dunstone’s team continued to apply pressure, leading to another two-point end in the ninth, extending their lead to 6-3. The team strategically filled the rings with rocks behind guards, forcing difficult shots for Koe.

Statistical Highlights

Dunstone finished the final with an impressive 94% shooting percentage, compared to Koe’s 86%. The team’s overall shooting percentage was 90% against Alberta’s 85%.

Road to the Championship

Dunstone reached his third final in four years, having previously lost in 2025 and 2023. His teams also achieved third-place finishes in 2021 and 2020. Prior to the final, Dunstone’s rink eliminated reigning Olympic champion Brad Jacobs with a 7-3 win in the semifinal.

Looking Ahead: World Championship Berth

With this victory, Dunstone, Lott, E.J. Harnden, and Ryan Harnden will represent Canada at the men’s world championship, scheduled to take place from March 27 to April 4, 2026, in Ogden, Utah. CBC Sports reports this is a significant achievement for the team.

Harnden’s Final Season

The win was particularly poignant for E.J. Harnden, who has announced his retirement from competitive curling after this season. He has previously won Brier titles with Brad Jacobs in 2013 and Brad Gushue in 2023 and 2024. Harnden was named the tournament MVP.

Brier Attendance

The 2026 Brier attracted a total attendance of 143,100, the highest since St. John’s last hosted the event in 2017, with an attendance of 122,592.

Financial Rewards

The winning team claimed $100,000 from a total prize purse of $300,000. TSN details the financial rewards for the champions.