Gushue earns shot at sixth national crown

Brad Gushue gained an express ticket to Sunday’s championship game at the Brier with a 7-3 playoff win over Brendan Bottcher on Saturday night.

Gushue, third Mark Nichols and lead Geoff Walker are attempting to win their sixth Canadian men’s curling championship and third straight, which would tie both of Randy Ferbey’s records. Gushue could also become the first man to skip a team to six titles.

Alberta’s Bottcher, the tournament’s No. 1 seed, dropped to Sunday’s semifinal against Saskatchewan’s Mike McEwen, who was a 6-5 winner earlier over Manitoba’s Matt Dunstone.

The winner of Sunday night’s final will represent Canada at the world championship starting March 30 in Switzerland. The victor also banks a berth in the 2025 Olympic trials, pending a top-six result in Switzerland.

Gushue stole a pivotal point from Bottcher in the eighth end to lead 6-3 in the Page playoff game between the top two seeds.

Facing three Gushue stones in the ninth, Bottcher missed the triple takeout to give up another steal, and shook hands.

A Saskatchewan rink hasn’t reached a final since Brad Heidt lost to Kerry Burtnyk in 1995.

McEwen led Saturday’s playoff game 5-1 after six ends. But Dunstone, who lost to Gushue in last year’s Brier final, scored his first deuce in the seventh and stole single points in the eighth and ninth to be tied coming home.

“I think the last three days, there was no doubt we were playing well enough to win this event,” Dunstone said. “You just kind of wonder when it’s going to be your time, you know?

“Come close a lot of times. Just proud of the group. We’re going to be back and promise we’ll be in the same position again.”