Kevin Koe’s curling team based in Calgary, Alberta has reached the final of the 2021 Tim Hortons Brier at the Markin MacPhail Centre in Calgary on Sunday. Koe, who is in his ninth Brier championship, is seeking his fifth Brier championship as he previously won in 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2019.
On Saturday, Koe reached the final by winning the championship pool standings with an overall record of 10 wins and two losses. His Saturday victories came in a dominant 12-4 win over Manitoba’s Jason Gunnlaugson, and in a narrow 7-6 win over the third wildcard team skipped by Wayne Middaugh of Brampton, Ontario.
In Calgary this week, Koe was the second-ranked wildcard team. However, he was lucky to come away with a narrow one-point win over Middaugh on Saturday night. Koe’s third B.J. Neufeld missed both of his shots in the 10th end, and gave Middaugh an opportunity to tie the game at seven, and force an extra end. Middaugh was able to generate two points in the 10th end, but could not keep his shooter in a takeout attempt, and had to settle for a final end deuce.
The other semifinal will see Team Alberta face Team Saskatchewan. Alberta is skipped by Brendan Bottcher of Edmonton, and Saskatchewan is skipped by Matt Dunstone of Wadena.
