The action was intense and Prospera Place was full for the first day of the Brier's playoffs on Friday, March 7.
In Draw 19, Team Canada - Gushue and Team Manitoba - Dunstone came out with wins to advance to the Page 1-2 playoff (Draw 22), taking place on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. In the round-robin match-up, Dunstone collected a huge win over Gushue 7-6. The winner will advance directly to the finals while the loser will head to the semi-finals.
After Team Alberta - Jacobs lost to Gushue and Team Canada in Draw 19, they needed a win to keep their championship aspirations alive. And they did so, coming out with a 10-6 win over Team Nova Scotia - Purcell in Draw 20 to advance to the Page 3-4 playoff and eliminate Nova Scotia.
Friday was a tough day for Team Saskatchewan - McEwen, who lost both their matches and were eliminated. After losing to Team Manitoba - Dunstone in Draw 19, they needed to win in Draw 20 but ultimately fell to Team Manitoba - Carruthers, after they lost two in the sixth end and added two more in the eighth to win 6-4.
The 3-4 Page playoff takes place at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday between Team Manitoba - Carruthers and Team Alberta - Jacobs. The losing team will be eliminated while the winning team will head to the semi-final and take on the loser of the Page 1-2 playoff.
On Sunday, March 9, the semi-final takes place at 11 a.m. while the finals happen at 5 p.m.