The Brier hopes of Vernon鈥檚 Jim Cotter are dwindling.

Undefeated Brad Jacobs improved to 8-0 in Thursday鈥檚 opening round of the championship pool at the Tim Hortons Brier Canadian Men鈥檚 Curling Championships in Brandon, downing Cotter 11-5 in eight ends, helped by picking up five in the third end, which gave the 2013 champions a commanding 7 -2 lead.

Jacobs added deuces with the hammer in the fifth and seventh ends, while Cotter, backed by third Steve Laycock, second Tyrel Griffith and lead Rick Sawatsky, could not get more than one point while having last rock in the sixth and eighth ends.

Cotter falls to 4-4 overall and simply can鈥檛 afford another loss with three crossover games remaining, including a match with Brendan Bottcher鈥檚 Wild Card rink at 5 p.m. Pacific.

The top four rinks after play Friday advance to the playoffs, which begin Saturday.

Kevin Koe鈥檚 Calgary rink joined Jacobs at 8-0 by scoring three with hammer in the 10th end to knock off Bottcher鈥檚 rink from Edmonton 7-6 in a Battle of Alberta. Bottcher drops to 6-2.

Defending champion Brad Gushue鈥檚 Team Canada squad from St. John鈥檚, Nfld. improved to 7-1 win a 6-3 win over Manitoba鈥檚 Mike McEwen, who falls to 4-4 with Cotter and Kirk Muyres of Saskatchewan.

Ontario鈥檚 Scott McDonald also used a three-ender in 10 to beat Muyres 7-4. McDonald improves to 5-3.

In other games at 5 p.m., Koe will play McEwen, McDonald faces Jacobs and Gushue will take on Muyres.

roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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