The playoff picture at this year's Brier as veterans and underdogs pull out the stops
CBC
In a Brier that has been full of twists and turns, including a number of unexpected results, the playoff field is now set as the field of 18 teams has been trimmed to just six.
Saskatchewan's Mike McEwen, who placed first in Pool B with a 7-1 record, takes on Alberta's Brendan Bottcher in the 1 vs. 2 qualifying game.
Team Canada's Brad Gushue is set to square off against Manitoba's Reid Carruthers, who placed first in Pool A with a 7-1 round-robin record, in another qualifying game.
Those four teams placed in the top two of their pools.
Manitoba's Matt Dunstone grabbed the last playoff spot in Pool A with a win over Newfoundland and Labrador on Thursday night.
Perhaps the most remarkable story circles around the Northwest Territories and the team from Yellowknife.
Skip Jamie Koe, in his 17th appearance at the national championship, was able to defeat Prince Edward Island in a dramatic extra end finish on Thursday afternoon to clinch third in Pool B and grab the final playoff spot.
It's just the second time in Brier history the Northwest Territories has qualified for the playoffs. Koe also clinched the other playoff berth in 2012.
"Pretty incredible moment. It's just wild. Everyone came down to the ice after the game and were crying. Dad was crying. It got me going," Koe said, with tears in his eyes.
"We looked at the pools when we got here and wondered if we could make the playoffs. It's surreal. We got it done. It just all came together."
Northwest Territories has received support from curling fans all across the country, especially in the North.
"People are rooting for us. We're one of the underdogs and we'll enjoy this moment," Koe said.
Saskatchewan's Mike McEwen rink earned the top spot in the pool with a 7-1 record.
It's been 44 years since Saskatchewan last won a Brier title — Rick Folk in 1980 — the same year McEwen was born. The veteran skip, in his ninth Brier appearance, is brimming with confidence and feels this might just be the moment he wins his first title and snaps the Saskatchewan Brier drought.
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