National Post (National Edition)
Gushue keeps dropping hammer on foes
EDMONTON • Canada’s Brad Gushue is the first to admit his St. John’s side is not known as a high-scoring team.
You wouldn’t know it by looking at the scoresheet at the Ford World Men’s Curling Championship.
The unbeaten skip locked up the first seed in the playoffs Thursday by posting his seventh straight rout at the Northlands Coliseum. Gushue’s latest victory was a 9-2 romp over Italy’s Joel Retornaz.
“We basically try to control the scoreboard,” Gushue said. “We’re more than happy being tied up with the hammer coming home. So this week has been a little bit odd for us to have these lopsided games.
“But I think it just comes down to how well we’re playing and we’re getting some misses out of the other teams.”
Gushue hasn’t really been tested since an 8-6 win over Sweden’s Niklas Edin last Sunday. The 2006 Olympic champion has a whopping 86-31 edge in overall points.
“I’m a little bit surprised by it, but we’re playing at a very high level,” Gushue said. “I’m a little bit surprised that some of the teams haven’t played a little bit better against us.
“I think maybe we’ve put the pressure on them and maybe they’re trying a little bit too hard and trying some different things. I’ve seen some different calls.”
Gushue had a chance to complete a perfect run through the round robin against Norway’s Steffen Walstad on Thursday night.
Gushue, third Mark Nichols, second Brett Gallant and lead Geoff Walker will have hammer in the Page playoff 1-2 game on Friday night.
Canada’s opponent was to be determined later Thursday. Round robin play will be completed after the evening draw.
Edin, who has clinched a playoff spot at 8-1, was scheduled to play two games later Thursday. Switzerland’s Peter de Cruz (8-2) and American John Shuster (7-3) clinched playoff spots with morning victories.
The second seed will play Gushue in the 1-2 game and the third and fourth seeds will meet in Saturday’s Page 3-4 game. The 1-2 winner will advance to Sunday’s goldmedal game and the loser will play the 3-4 winner in the semifinal Saturday night.