‘Always playing for the win there’: Championship drought continues as Canada loses semi to Scotland, will play for bronze at Men’s Curling Worlds

Canada's Ben Hebert (left) and Brett Gallant watch as Scotland Skip Bruce Mouat's stone makes its way towards the house during their semifinal match at the World Men's Curling Championship in Moose Jaw, Sask. on Saturday April 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Heartbreak again for Canada at the World Men’s Curling Championships as Brad Jacobs dropped another thrilling semi-final draw 7-4 to Team Scotland Saturday.

It came down to the final stone in the 10th end, when Canada skip Brad Jacobs missed an angle looking to win it.

“We’re always going to play for the win there,” Jacobs said when asked about the potential of going for the tie versus the win.

“We know the odds are stacked against us playing Scotland at an extra end,” the skip added.

It was an emotional semi-final between two of the top teams in the world. Going into the tournament, Scotland was ranked number one in the world, while Team Jacobs was ranked third.

“We fought. We battled. We tried,” Jacobs said after the game. “[Scotland] was better than us today.”

“But we’re going to regroup here and come out and try to get ourselves on the podium and get a bronze medal,” he added.

“Disappointed [with the result] but not disappointing the way we played,” Hebert said following the loss.

“I’m proud of my teammates and they made a couple more shots than us. And you know, they’re a good team,” the lead added.

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Scottish skip Bruce Mouat said he wasn’t surprised by Jacobs’ decision in the final frame.

“The stats say you have to back yourself to make the tough shot to win,” he told reporters. “A steal in the extra end is probably a bit of a 50-50 at that point.”

“As a skip, you always want to make the shot to win,” Mouat added.

The fans inside Temple Gardens Centre were loud again behind the Canadians. At times, going back and forth with the Scottish faithful just hoping to not be drowned out by the rest of the crowd.

In the eighth frame, Jacobs looked to tie. He would throw the double take-out angle to score two to a huge roar from the sold-out Temple Gardens Centre at draw even 4-4.

What was probably the shot of the tournament out of Jacobs flipped the momentum in the game. The building had a nervous energy beforehand but was right back behind their team following.

During a longer Scottish conversation on the ice ahead of Mouat’s first stone in the eighth, the Scottish and Canadian fans traded loud cheers.

Immediately following, Mouat’s rock was heavy, sliding past the 4ft. and would not sit shot rock.

“The crowd was behind us, which was sweet,” Hebert said. “The couple big roars were nice. But [Scotland] played a good game.”

“Being in front of an amazing crowd today was maybe a bit different,” Mouat said. “We obviously get a lot from their energy. And even though they’re cheering against us – most of the time – the Scottish fans really created a good atmosphere with the rivalry.”

Canada, which hasn’t won a world title since 2017 in Edmonton, Alta., will have their drought continue for a ninth year.

Since that 2017 win by then-skip Brad Gushue, Canada has finished second five times at the tournament. Their worst result is fifth in 2021.

For Jacobs, winning his first world championship eludes him after he finished with a silver medal in his only previous worlds appearance in 2013.

“We’re not pleased to lose,” he said. “If you play the game long enough and you give yourself enough chances, hopefully you get your fair share of wins. But one thing that’s a guarantee is you will lose more than you win.”

“We have nothing to be disappointed about,” Jacobs added.

While for Ben Hebert, Brett Gallant and Marc Kennedy, it’s the first time in 13 combined appearances the three players have failed to make the world championship final.

Canada will take on China for bronze Sunday morning at 9 a.m. Saskatchewan time on TSN.

For China, they have never won a medal at a men’s world championships.

Scotland, which is the only team to beat Canada this week – doing so twice – will play Switzerland in the gold medal draw in the afternoon.