Jacobs knocks off Koivula, takes over top spot at Northern Ontario men's curling championship

NORTH BAY -- Brad Jacobs is alone in first at the Northern Ontario men’s curling championship in North Bay.

The five-time provincial champion and reigning Olympic gold medalist rocked Thunder Bay’s Colin Koivula squad 9-2 on Friday night.

The Sault Ste. Marie skip raced out to a 5-1 lead through three ends and put the match away in the sixth with a steal of three, the two teams shaking hands at that point.

Koivula, tied for top spot with Jacobs heading into Draw 6, dropped to 4-2, tied for second.

In other action, Thunder Bay’s Dylan Johnston saw his playoff chances unravel thanks to an 8-2 loss at the hands of former two-time champion Robbie Gordon. Both rinks are 2-4 for the week.

Koivula takes on Jordan Chandler (4-2) on Saturday morning, the winner automatically advancing to the playoffs. He’s clinched no worse than a spot in a tiebreaker. Chandler knocked off Geraldton’s Mike Assad 6-5 in 11 ends on Friday night.

Tanner Horgan of Sudbury kept his playoff hopes alive with a 9-3 win over Patrick Gelinas’ squad.