Korey Dropkin’s rink out of Chaska, Minnesota, opened the 2021 U.S. Men’s National Championship game with hammer.

After successfully blanking the first end, Team Dropkin had an opportunity to throw a takeout in the second end for a score of three. Hitting Brundidge’s shot stone too far on the outside, Brundidge’s rock jammed on one of Dropkin’s own rocks in the house, resulting in a steal of one for Team Brundidge.

Team Dropkin blanked the second end before making a lightweight takeout on Brundidge’s shot rock in the fourth end to score the first deuce of the game.

Facing three red Dropkin rocks in the fifth end, Jed Brundidge executed an open hit for a single point to tie the score at 2-2- at the half.

Opening the second half with hammer, Team Brundidge left Korey Dropkin with another opportunity to score three points with an open hit. Throwing a soft weight takeout, Dropkin removed the Brundidge counter and added three points to their score, moving them ahead 5-2 after six ends.  

In the seventh end, Jed Brundidge had a thin double takeout to score two. Hitting the rock too thin, Team Brundidge managed to remove both of Dropkin’s stones, but his shooter rolled out and they were forced to only a single.

Jed Brundidge sat three when Korey Dropkin got in the hack to throw his final stone of the eighth end. Unfortunately for Brundidge, his shot rock was not under cover and Dropkin removed it to lead 6-3.

Team Dropkin sat with two rocks lined up in the house when Jed Brundidge set up to play a double takeout to score two. Unable to remove both rocks from play, it was Team Dropkin’s stone that ended up scoring, putting them ahead 7-3 and making Team Dropkin the 2021 U.S. Men’s National Champions.

Team Dropkin will look to carry the momentum gained from the National Championship into the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

“We’re really looking forward to Trials and are so happy to have secured our spot,” said Dropkin. “It was a great week and we’re thrilled.”

FOLLOW ALONG

Live scoring of the 2021 U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Championships.

The Championships will be broadcasted May 25-31 on the USA Curling Youtube Channel!

USA Curling is sponsored by Toyota, Goldline, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Brakebush, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), and Sitrin, and is partnered with IHG, Rock Solid Productions Inc., 12th End Sports Network, Laurie Artiss Ltd. – The Pin People, and United Airlines.