Alberta skip Kevin Koe one win away from Canadian curling championship

The spotlight of Canadian curling now turns to the highly anticipated Kevin Koe Brier Final as Alberta’s veteran skip Kevin Koe prepares to compete for the championship at the 2026 Montana’s Brier in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. After a remarkable week of competition and dramatic playoff games, Koe and his team are now just one victory away from lifting the famous Brier Tankard.

Watch Kevin Koe Brier Final Live

 

The Montana’s Brier is Canada’s national men’s curling championship and one of the most prestigious events in the sport. The 2026 edition began on February 27 at the Mary Brown’s Centre and features eighteen teams representing provinces, territories, and top-ranked squads across Canada. After days of round-robin draws and intense playoff battles, the tournament has reached its final stage with Kevin Koe leading the championship story.

Strong Start for Team Koe

From the opening days of the competition, Kevin Koe’s Alberta team quickly emerged as one of the strongest contenders. The Calgary-based squad delivered several impressive results in Pool B round-robin play.

One of their earliest victories came against Saskatchewan’s Mike McEwen, where Alberta secured a 6–4 win after scoring three points in the tenth end. Later the same day, Koe defeated New Brunswick’s James Grattan 9–4, improving Alberta’s record and building momentum in the standings.

Another key draw saw Koe defeat Matt Dunstone’s Manitoba team 7–6 in a tightly contested game. That victory kept Alberta unbeaten in the early phase of the tournament and strengthened their position at the top of Pool B.

As the round-robin stage continued, Alberta maintained a perfect record and eventually finished with an undefeated run that placed them directly into the Page playoff system.

Dramatic Page Playoff Victory

The most dramatic moment of the event came during the Page 1-2 playoff game, where Kevin Koe faced Manitoba skip Matt Dunstone in a battle between the tournament’s top teams.

The match was filled with tension and high-quality shot-making from both sides. Early in the game, Dunstone managed to keep the score close, but Koe responded with strong shot execution to maintain control of the scoreboard.

After ten ends, the game remained tied and required an extra end to determine the winner. In the decisive moment, Koe delivered a remarkable shot that forced Dunstone into a difficult final attempt. Dunstone’s last draw came up short, giving Alberta a 9–7 extra-end victory and sending Koe directly to the championship final.

The win extended Koe’s unbeaten run during the tournament and secured his place in the gold-medal game.

Other Key Results from the Tournament

Several important draws throughout the week helped shape the playoff race and championship bracket.

Some notable results included:

• Alberta (Koe) def. Saskatchewan (McEwen) 6–4

• Alberta (Koe) def. New Brunswick (Grattan) 9–4

• Alberta (Koe) def. Manitoba (Dunstone) 7–6

• Alberta (Koe) def. Manitoba (Dunstone) 9–7 in the Page 1-2 playoff

Meanwhile, defending champion Brad Jacobs eliminated hometown favourite Brad Gushue earlier in the playoffs with a 7–5 victory, keeping his own championship hopes alive.

These results set the stage for the final showdown that curling fans have been waiting for all week.

A Chance at Another Historic Title

Kevin Koe is already one of the most successful skips in Canadian curling history. The 51-year-old veteran has won multiple national championships and reached numerous Brier finals throughout his career.

The 2026 Montana’s Brier marks Koe’s ninth appearance in the championship game, a remarkable achievement that highlights his consistency at the highest level of the sport.

If Alberta wins the Kevin Koe Brier Final, it would add another championship to Koe’s legacy and send his team to represent Canada at the upcoming World Men’s Curling Championship later this month.

Championship Draw Awaits

With the tournament reaching its final stage, fans across Canada and around the world are preparing to watch the Kevin Koe Brier Final live online as the Alberta skip attempts to complete his impressive run.

The championship match promises elite shot-making, strategic play, and the crowning of Canada’s newest men’s curling champion. After an undefeated journey through the event, Kevin Koe now stands one game away from curling history.