The Brier: Playoff picture gets clearer

The playoff picture is getting a little clearer at the 2015 Tim Hortons Brier in Calgary. After posting a 10-1 record, Northern Ontario — skipped by Brad Jacobs — finished first in the round robin.

• Northern Ontario, Newfoundland, Canada claim Brier playoff berths

The 2014 Olympic champions are content for now, but are looking forward to a full day's rest.

"I think right now, we need this little break." said Jacobs. "We get almost 24 hours off and this is going to serve our team really, really well. We'll feel really good going into playoffs."

Jacobs faces Newfoundland and Labrador tonight. The winner goes directly to Sunday's final. The team skipped by Brad Gushue finished the tournament with a 9-2 record. Gushue's rink was the only team to beat Northern Ontario during round robin play.

This is Gushue's 12th appearance at the Brier and he's never won it. 

"I was in the final before and had the lead after seven ends," said Gushue. "I was a little bit closer at that point to winning it all than I am now. I've got to get to the final this week so there's still a ways to go."

Team Canada turnaround

Team Canada is also through to the playoffs.

Since swapping skips after a team meeting on Monday night, the team from Calgary — representing Canada because of last year's win — has won five out of its last six games. 

Former skip of the team, John Morris, was blunt about his team's chances had they not made the change.

"If we were to have continued with what we were doing we wouldn't have made playoffs," he said.

Now Pat Simmons is skipping the team into this weekend's playoffs. 

Final playoff spot

Saskatchewan controls its own destiny. But things are getting very interesting. Last night the green guys could have secured a playoff spot with a win over Ontario. After giving up five points in the eighth end, and losing in an extra end, it all comes down to this morning against British Columbia.

It's simple. A Saskatchewan win and they're in. A loss and it gets crazy and confusing.

Here's my attempt at explaining how the tiebreaker scenario could set-up:

If Saskatchewan loses, that means all teams with five losses are still alive. That would then include Saskatchewan, B.C., Quebec and potentially Alberta if they beat New Brunswick this morning.

Two tiebreakers would then be played this afternoon. Then the winners of both those games would then play Saturday morning to determine the final playoff spot. A lot has to happen before then but there is still hope for three teams hoping for a Saskatchewan loss.​