On April 3, 2026, at the world men’s curling championship in Ogden, Utah, Matt Dunstone and his Winnipeg-based rink punched their ticket to the final after a tense 9-7 semifinal victory over Scotland. The match swung back and forth before Canada produced a crucial deuce in the ninth end to grab an 8-7 lead and then stole one in the 10th to clinch the win against skip Ross Whyte. The performance secured a chance to play for gold and continued a riveting week for the Canadian squad.
The Canadian lineup of Matt Dunstone (skip), Colton Lott (third), E.J. Harnden (second) and Ryan Harnden (lead) combined experienced shotmaking and resilience to advance. Canada had to navigate a crowded top of the leaderboard — finishing the round robin tied with Sweden and Scotland — and ultimately placed third by a draw tiebreaker. That standing forced a qualification game earlier the same day, which tested the team’s depth and focus before the late semifinal drama.
Semifinal drama against Scotland
The semifinal was a classic ebb-and-flow contest. After five ends the game sat level, then Scotland edged ahead 5-3 in the sixth. Canada answered with a three in the seventh to reverse momentum and lead 6-5, but Scotland replied with a two in the eighth to move back in front, 7-6. Canada then produced a decisive response with a two-point end — commonly referred to as a deuce — in the ninth to go 8-7, and ultimately managed a 10th-end steal to finish 9-7. The match showcased strategic shot selection, measured sweeping and the ability to capitalize on small openings.
Turning points
Several moments changed the match’s trajectory, but the pair of ends late in the game were pivotal. The ninth-end deuce gave Canada the lead and forced Scotland into a difficult 10th with the hammer. From there, strong defensive placement and precise stone removal created the circumstances for the steal that decided the game. Throughout those crucial frames the Winnipeg rink demonstrated poise under pressure and effective communication, two elements that have defined their week in Ogden and will be essential in the championship match.
Earlier tests and standings
Round-robin play produced a three-way tie at the top of the standings: Sweden, Scotland and Canada all finished with 10-2 records. Canada’s third-place position after the draw tiebreaker required them to play a qualification match on Friday morning, while Sweden advanced through the other side of the bracket. Canada had already beaten Sweden handily during round-robin play, but the playoff path demanded back-to-back high-stakes performances, leaving little margin for error.
Qualifier against Italy
Earlier the same day, Canada faced Italy and skip Stefano Spiller in a qualification game that ended 9-7. In that contest Matt Dunstone executed a dramatic double-takeout in the 10th end — removing two opposing stones with one shot — to score three points and secure the victory. That single shot encapsulated the rink’s offensive precision and set the tone for the semifinal later that evening. After the win Dunstone joked about the small perks of advancing, noting with a grin that he was “really happy we get to sleep in on Saturday morning,” while acknowledging the bigger prize still ahead.
What comes next: the final and the bronze match
With the semifinal in the books, Dunstone’s team will meet Niklas Edin‘s Sweden, who edged the host United States 8-6 in an extra end in the other semifinal. Scotland and the U.S. are set to contest the bronze match Saturday morning. For Canada, the final also carries personal significance: E.J. Harnden has announced this event will cap his competitive career, and teammates have expressed a desire to send him out as a world champion. Dunstone emphasized steadiness heading into the decider, saying the team can draw confidence from recent wins and that the plan is to stick to what has worked all week.
