On Thursday afternoon, veteran Yellowknife skipper Jamie Koe punched his team from Northwest Territories a ticket to the Brier playoffs for just the second time in the territory's history.

Mike McEwen and his Saskatchewan teammates are cruising at the Brier, topping Pool B and closing in on clinching a playoff berth.

"I've never missed so many draws in my life." Team Koe is in uncharted territory at the Brier this year, sitting out of playoff contention in an event he's won four times.

Rachel Homan's Team Ontario won an absolute knockdown, drag-out battle in an extra end over Jennifer Jones and Team Manitoba to punch a ticket to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts final.

Four-time defending Scotties champions — Einarson, third Val Sweeting, second Shannon Birchard and alternate-turned lead Krysten Karwacki — lost 9-4 to Kate Cameron and Team Manitoba in the 3 v 4 qualifiers, putting an end to their bid for a record five straight national championships.

Briane Harris isn’t eligible to play here at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts — and for reasons very few people know — but that doesn’t mean the lead isn’t contributing to her team’s bid for a record and historic fifth straight title.

Alberta's Selena Sturmay may be a rookie at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, but there's a good reason she's succeeding, writes Kristina Rutherford.