Manitoba Rink Triumphs in St. John’s

Team Dunstone captured the Montana’s Brier title tonight in St. John’s, N.L., defeating Alberta’s Kevin Koe 6-3 in the gold medal final.

This victory marks a significant milestone for Matt Dunstone, securing his first Canadian men’s curling championship after previous successes with silver medals in 2023 and 2025, and bronze medals representing Saskatchewan in 2020 and 2021.

A Season to Remember for the Harnden Brothers

The Dunstone rink includes Sault Ste. Marie natives E.J. And Ryan Harnden. E.J. Harnden described the win as incredible, noting it comes in what will be his last season of competitive curling.

I never imagined it was going to end this way, Harnden said to TSN. We know how hard This proves to win a Brier and to do it knowing it’s going to be your last year and the first time I had my kids here to watch.

TSN

Harnden also spoke highly of his teammates, saying they made me fall back in love with the game.

Dunstone Reflects on the Championship

Dunstone expressed the significance of the win, stating a lot when asked what the title meant to him.

There’s been a lot of heartbreak on this quadrennial, losing two of these Briers and the Trials, Dunstone said in media availability provided by Curling Canada. It’s a very special moment for this group. We’ve put a lot of work into what we do. This moment feels way more incredible than I ever would have imagined.

Curling Canada

The team secured their spot in the final with a 7-3 win over Brad Jacobs in the semifinal earlier on Sunday.

Final Showdown Details

In the final against Koe, Dunstone scored three in the seventh end to seize a 4-2 lead, adding two more in the ninth before running Koe out of rocks in the tenth.

Looking Ahead: World Championship Bound

With the Brier title, the Dunstone rink will now represent Canada at the World Men’s Curling Championship, beginning March 27 in Ogden, Utah.

FAQ

Who won the 2026 Montana’s Brier?

Matt Dunstone and his Manitoba rink won the 2026 Montana’s Brier.

Where was the 2026 Brier held?

The 2026 Brier was held in St. John’s, N.L.

What is next for Team Dunstone?

Team Dunstone will represent Canada at the World Men’s Curling Championship in Ogden, Utah.