Gushue makes electric shot to beat Whyte in HearingLife Tour Challenge men’s quarterfinals
CHARLOTTETOWN — Team Brad Gushue of St. John’s, N.L., took two for the win in the eighth end to defeat Scotland’s Team Ross Whyte 5-4 Saturday and advance to the HearingLife Tour Challenge semifinals.
Trailing by one, Gushue pulled off a clutch raise to bump his own and punch out Whyte’s shot rock to sit two in the four-foot circle. Gushue was counting at least the equalizer but with Whyte holding another rock nearby in the paint, the measuring stick came out to determine who held the second shot.
The Bell Aliant Centre crowd lit up with an electrifying roar when Gushue was declared the winner.
The 15-time Grand Slam of Curling champion Gushue will play Winnipeg’s Team Matt Dunstone in the semifinals.
Dunstone also came from behind to edge Calgary’s Team Brad Jacobs 6-5.
Jacobs was up by two heading into the eighth end but did not hold the hammer and was running out of time when he threw his last rock. His shooter took out two of his own stones, and Dunstone drew for the winning three points.
The other semifinal sees Scotland’s Team Bruce Mouat against Saskatoon’s Team Mike McEwen.
Mouat downed Team James Craik 8-4 in an all-Scottish showdown and McEwen made a tap for two points in the eighth end to eliminate Team Yannick Schwaller of Switzerland 5-3.
Ottawa’s Team Rachel Homan faces Winnipeg’s Team Kaitlyn Lawes and Team Kerri Einarson of Gimli, Man., goes up against Japan’s Team Satsuki Fujisawa on the women’s side.
Watch the semifinals live on Sportsnet+ at 8 p.m. AT / 7 p.m. ET.
