Bottcher eliminates Gushue in extra end during WFG Masters quarterfinals
OAKVILLE, Ont. — Calgary’s Team Brendan Bottcher advanced to the final four of the WFG Masters after edging Team Brad Gushue of St. John’s, N.L., 5-4 in an extra end during Saturday’s men’s quarterfinals at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex.
Bottcher (5-0) takes an unblemished mark into the evening semifinals where his squad will clash with Team Joël Retornaz. The Italian club ousted Switzerland’s Team Yannick Schwaller 6-2 to reach their first Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling semis.
Meanwhile, Norway’s Team Magnus Ramsfjell also made it to the first GSOC semifinals, in their series debut no less, after eliminating Sweden’s Team Niklas Edin 7-3.
Ramsfjell takes on defending champions Team Bruce Mouat, who were winners of a Scottish derby against Team Ross Whyte 5-3.
Earlier Saturday, Gushue defeated Winnipeg’s Team Matt Dunstone 7-2, Winnipeg’s Team Chelsea Carey beat Team Casey Scheidegger of Lethbridge, Alta., 7-4 and Sweden’s Team Anna Hasselborg knocked out Switzerland’s Team Michele Jäggi 5-2 during the morning tiebreaker draw to qualify for the playoffs.
UP NEXT
The women’s quarterfinals feature Team Kerri Einarson of Gimli, Man., vs. Team Carey, Winnipeg’s Team Kaitlyn Lawes vs. Team Tabitha Peterson from the United States, Ottawa’s Team Rachel Homan vs. Team Hasselborg and Winnipeg’s Team Jennifer Jones vs. Team Eun-Ji Gim of South Korea.
Watch the women’s quarterfinals starting at 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT on Sportsnet, Sportsnet NOW (Canada) and Yare (international).
The semifinals are also set for Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT; Sportsnet 360) with both finals on tap for Sunday.
