Brad Jacobs leads Canada to world men’s curling bronze for its 4th straight medal

Canada’s Ben Hebert led the team to a resounding victory in the bronze-medal game against China’s Xiaoming Xu at the BKT World Men’s Curling Championship. With a clear plan in mind, Hebert stated, “Curl good and run them out of the building. Those guys can’t keep up with us.” The team executed their strategy flawlessly, dominating their opponents with an 11-2 win.

The Calgary-based team, consisting of Hebert, skip Brad Jacobs, vice Marc Kennedy, and second Brett Gallant, set the tone early with a three-point opening end. They further solidified their lead with a five-point fourth end, effectively putting the game out of reach by halftime. Despite falling to Scotland’s Bruce Mouat in the semifinals, Canada was determined to end the tournament on a high note and secure a spot on the podium.

Jacobs and his team displayed aggressive play from the start, putting pressure on Xu with strategic shots. The Canadian coach, Paul Webster, noted the team’s exceptional performance, with the players consistently throwing in the 90s throughout the game. Xu managed to pick up a point in the third end but struggled to keep up with Canada’s relentless offense.

As the game progressed, it became evident that Canada would emerge victorious. The Chinese team offered to concede after the seventh end, but officials insisted that the game continue to reach its eight-end minimum. With a dominant performance, Canada showcased their superiority on the ice, throwing at a remarkable 95% accuracy compared to China’s 82%.

Despite the disappointment of not reaching the gold medal game, Jacobs and his team were proud of their bronze medal finish. Looking ahead to future competitions, the team aims to establish a winning mentality and continue representing Canada on the international stage. With aspirations of competing in the 2026 Winter Games, the team is focused on honing their skills and consistently performing at a high level.

The tournament also saw controversy surrounding China’s qualification game against Norway, where a potential broom contact incident sparked debate within the curling community. While the issue raised concerns about fair play, the Canadian team remained focused on their game plan and delivered a commanding performance in the bronze-medal match.

With their bronze medal win, Canada reaffirmed their status as a powerhouse in the world of curling. As they look to build on this success, the team is determined to continue their pursuit of excellence and bring home more titles in the future.