The Brier hopes of VernonB次元官网网址檚 Jim Cotter are dwindling.

Undefeated Brad Jacobs improved to 8-0 in ThursdayB次元官网网址檚 opening round of the championship pool at the Tim Hortons Brier Canadian MenB次元官网网址檚 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 canB次元官网网址檛 afford another loss with three crossover games remaining, including a match with Brendan BottcherB次元官网网址檚 Wild Card rink at 5 p.m. Pacific.

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

Kevin KoeB次元官网网址檚 Calgary rink joined Jacobs at 8-0 by scoring three with hammer in the 10th end to knock off BottcherB次元官网网址檚 rink from Edmonton 7-6 in a Battle of Alberta. Bottcher drops to 6-2.

Defending champion Brad GushueB次元官网网址檚 Team Canada squad from St. JohnB次元官网网址檚, Nfld. improved to 7-1 win a 6-3 win over ManitobaB次元官网网址檚 Mike McEwen, who falls to 4-4 with Cotter and Kirk Muyres of Saskatchewan.

OntarioB次元官网网址檚 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
Like us on and follow us on .