Koes to meet in Brier playoffs

Howard, Fowler play tonight

SASKATOON — It’s Koe vs. Koe II, and this time there is a great deal more than family pride on the line at the Tim Hortons Brier.

Jamie Koe of the Northwest TerritoriesYukon will play Alberta’s Kevin Koe in the 3 vs. 4 Page playoff on Saturday at the Canadian men’s curling championship. The brothers played Wednesday and Kevin won 11- 3.

“It will be pretty cool to play my big brother again,’’ Jamie said Thursday night after beating B. C.’ s Jim Cotter 8- 3. “They have stomped us twice at the Brier [ Kevin also beat Jamie 8- 3 in 2010]. We hope to change that.’’

It’s the first time that the Northwest Territories- Yukon has qualified for the playoffs at any Brier. The Northwest Territories- Yukon debuted at the 1975 Brier and finished tied for second with an 8- 3 record. It wasn’t until 1980 that playoffs were instituted at the Brier.

Jamie’s rise to a playoff berth is as surprising as Kevin’s fall. Kevin has lost two of three since leading the field with a 6- 0 record on Tuesday. Thursday, Kevin was beaten 6- 3 by Ontario’s Glenn Howard to fall to 8- 3 and in third in the round- robin standings.

Manitoba’s Rob Fowler ( 8- 3) gained from Kevin’s struggles as he moved into second place based on an 8- 5 win over Alberta on Wednesday. Fowler and Howard ( 10- 1) play in tonight’s 1 vs. 2 Page playoff game. The winner advances straight to Sunday’s final.