The two hottest rinks at the Tim Hortons Brier in Kingston, Ontario will battle one another to start championship pool play on Thursday.

On Wednesday night, Matt Dunstone and his Regina rink made it six straight wins as they scored three in the first en route to a 12-3 win over Thomas Scoffin from the Yukon.  That means Dunstone finishes second in his pool with Mike McEwen and Team Wildcard winning the pool due to his win against Team Saskatchewan Saturday night.

Dunstone, and his rink of Braeden Moskowy, Catlin Schneider and Dustin Kidby, will meet Brendan Bottcher of Alberta on Thursday afternoon to get championship pool play going. Bottcher has not been beaten so far as he is 7-0. In the evening draw. the opponent will be Northern Ontario’s Brad Jacobs.

A Saskatchewan team has not made the playoffs since 2015 with no Saskatchewan rink having won the Canadian men’s curling championship since 1980.

Dunstone goes into the championship pool knowing many won’t favour him and he’s OK with that.

“You know what as long as Koe, Jacobs, Bottcher, Gushue and McEwen are still in it, I still think we are flying under the radar.” Dunstone told the Sportscage before his game against the Yukon.” I’m OK with that as we will just continue to do our thing and try to grind out some more wins.”