Brad Jacobs Grabs Second Brier Title After Thrilling Comeback Victory
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By Noan Gagnon
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Summary:
- Brad Jacobs nailed a high-pressure takeout in the 10th end, securing a 5-3 comeback win over Team Manitoba.
- Jacobs captured his second Brier title in 12 years.
- Team Alberta fought through four consecutive elimination games, including a nail-biting semifinal against Brad Gushue, to reach the final.
Brad Jacobs who had been amongst the odds favourite stood at center ice, gold medal around his neck, beaming as a rowdy group of men in kilts, flasks in hand, sang a celebratory tune. Jacobs happily pumped his arms, encoraging them to keep going.
Moments earlier, the skip had delivered the final shot of the 2025 Brier, well aware that it was good the second it left his hand.
Jacobs: “That Was Pure.”
“I knew it was good when I let ‘er go” Jacobs said, grinning. “That was pure.”
In front of a sold-out crowd of 5,483 at Prospera Place, Jacobs nailed a clutch takeout with his last stone to secure his first Brier title in 12 years — and the second of his career.
“Unbelievable”, Jacobs said, hands on his hips, still processing the moment.
It’s relieving. It’s been too long since I’ve won this championship. To finally have this over and be champions is unbelievable.
It was a long, grueling road to the top for Team Alberta, made up of Jacobs, third Marc Kennedy, second Brent Gallant, and lead Ben Hebert.
They fought through four straight elimination games and edged out Brad Gushue’s rink in a semifinal thriller before mounting a 5-3 comeback victory against Matt Dunstone’s Manitoba squad in the final.
That was a long road. That was a tough grind. I’m just so proud of the guys for playing the way that they did, hanging in there and grinding all week.
Down by one heading into the 10th end, coach Paul Webster delivered a clear message: “Let’s make eight shots in a row and win the Brier.”
“And that’s exactly what we did”, Jacobs said.
Kennedy’s two final shots were game-changers, especially his second, which was a narrow squeeze past two guards to clear Manitoba’s rock and set Alberta up for three.
The veteran let out a deep breath after making it.
“I was pretty tight to the guards”, Kennedy admitted. “Like if we wreck on that it’s a different story.”
Gallant: “When We Had That One to Win, It Was a Dream.”
Jacobs credited Kennedy’s shot for easing the pressure on his own.
I almost blew it on that line call on Marc’s last. But boy, when we made that shot, I felt pretty confident.
The 39-year-old from Sault Sainte Marie stepped up and drilled a perfect peel-weight takeout on Dunstone’s freeze. Gallant never doubted him.
“If there’s a shot I’ve got 100 percent confidence in Brad throwing it’s that peel-weight bomb”, Gallant said, flashing a grin. “When we had that one to win, it was a dream.”
Pandemonium erupted after Jacobs stuck it. There were bear hugs, tears, and wild celebrations. Hebert joked Jacobs “almost broke” his ribs. “He’s jacked!”
“It all came out of us”, Jacobs admitted.
Now, the newly crowned champions are off to Moose Jaw to represent Canada at the world men’s curling championship in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, but not before celebrating their latest victory.
“We’re gonna drink out of the Tankard tonight”, Jacobs promised, smiling wide.
