Matt Dunstone Finally Claims National Curling Crown at 2026 Brier
After enduring multiple heartbreaking losses in major finals over the past year, Manitoba skip Matt Dunstone has at last secured his first national curling championship. The emotional victory came on Sunday at the 2026 Montana's Brier in St. John's, Newfoundland, where Dunstone's team triumphed over Alberta's Kevin Koe with a decisive 6-3 score in the final match.
An Emotional Breakthrough for the Winnipeg Skip
The moment of triumph was visibly overwhelming for Dunstone, who has long been dubbed "The Sheriff" from Winnipeg. As the final stone settled, he dropped to his knees on the ice at Mary Brown's Centre, his hands covering his face in disbelief while tears streamed down his cheeks. The wide smile that followed encapsulated years of dedication and resilience finally paying off in the most significant way possible.
"It's hard to put into words," Dunstone told TSN's Bryan Mudryk immediately after the victory. "There's been so much work put into this and a lot of heartbreak along the way. This exact moment feels way better than I ever could have imagined."
Overcoming Recent Heartbreak
This championship holds particular significance for Dunstone and his team, who have come agonizingly close to national titles twice in the past twelve months. Both previous attempts ended in losses to the highly decorated skip Brad Jacobs, making this breakthrough even sweeter for the 30-year-old skip and his rink from Winnipeg's Granite Curling Club.
"Yeah, this group has had some heartbreak over the last couple of years," Dunstone acknowledged. "For this group to be able to win one of the big ones again feels greater than I could've imagined."
Team Composition and Historic Achievements
The victory marks the first Brier title for both skip Dunstone and third Colton Lott. Meanwhile, the Harnden brothers—second E.J. and lead Ryan—have now accumulated an impressive combined total of six Brier championships between them. E.J. previously won in 2013, 2023, and 2024 (the latter two with Brad Gushue), while Ryan claimed victory in 2013 alongside his older brother under Jacobs' leadership.
Dunstone was quick to credit his teammates for their crucial contributions to the win. "Yeah, this team means everything," he said. "Colton is my boy. And the brothers, too, you see how much they sweep and how much they go. I mean, me and Colton don't make what we do without them. They're amazing competitors and people to play with."
Kevin Koe's Ninth Brier Final Appearance
On the opposing side, the final represented the ninth Brier championship game for veteran skip Kevin Koe. The 51-year-old from Edmonton has previously won four national titles (in 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2019) and was hoping to create new memories with his current team from The Glencoe Club in Calgary, featuring third Tyler Tardi, second Aaron Sluchinski, and lead Karrick Martin.
Despite entering the final with a perfect 10-0 record in St. John's, Koe's magic finally ran out against Dunstone's determined squad. The Alberta champions had maintained a slim 2-1 lead through six ends, but a missed runback shot in the seventh end—a shot Koe had consistently made throughout the tournament—opened the door for Dunstone's comeback.
"Kevin reminded us all this week why he's an absolute legend," Dunstone said respectfully of his opponent. "And you saw that." The loss marks Koe's fifth defeat in a Brier final, adding another chapter to his storied but sometimes heartbreaking career.
A Long-Awaited Celebration
For Matt Dunstone, this victory represents the culmination of a lifelong dream that had previously seemed just out of reach. The emotional release following the final stone speaks volumes about the significance of this achievement for a skip who has dedicated his career to reaching curling's pinnacle. As the celebrations continue in St. John's and back home in Manitoba, Dunstone and his team can finally bask in the glory of being national champions—a title that eluded them for so long but now rests firmly in their hands.
