The defending Montana’s Brier champions are in the winners circle for the first time this season.
Winnipeg’s Team Matt Dunstone were victorious at the Okotoks Classic in Alberta, defeating Switzerland’s Team Marco Hoesli in Sunday’s final, 5-4.
Team Hoesli tied the game with a deuce in the eighth end before Team Dunstone scored a single in the extra to capture the bonspiel.
The 31-year-old won his first Brier Tankard last winter after two previous final losses, beating veteran skip Kevin Koe in the championship game from St. John’s, Nfld.
Third Colton Lott and lead Ryan Harnden remain with the rink for this season as Mark Nichols, Brad Gushue’s longtime vice, is now on the squad as their second.
Team Dunstone defeated Team Evan Van Amsterdam and Team Jordon McDonald in the playoffs on their way to the final at the Okotoks Classic.
Other notable rinks included Team Koe (eliminated by Team McDonald in the quarter-final), Team Mike McEwen (eliminated by Team Hoesli in the quarter-final), and Team Brendan Bottcher (eliminated by Team Hoesli in the semifinal).
Another new-look squad, Saskatoon’s Team Tyler Tardi, lost three game in the preliminary round and missed the playoffs.
Other Winners
Mother Club Fall Curling Classic
Men - Hayden Forrester
Women - Nancy Martin
Sutherland SaskTour Icebreaker
Men - Jason Jacobson
Women - Penny Barker
Tallinn Men’s International Challenger
Men - Lukas Hostmaelingen
Invitation Valleyfield
Men - Raphael Tremblay
Riga International Curling Challenge
Women - Evelina Barone
