News Elite 10

PORT HAWKESBURY, N.S. — All Calgary’s Kevin Koe needed to do to reach the Princess Auto Elite 10 semifinals was hit the paint in the shootout.

Koe’s clash with Peter de Cruz of Switzerland during Saturday’s quarterfinals went to an extra end, which under match play rules means a draw-to-the-button to decide the victor. 

After Team De Cruz fourth Benoit Schwarz went first and threw his stone right through the house, Koe almost rolled heavy as well but hit the brakes in time biting the back of the 12-foot circle to win 1-up and advance. 

Koe will now play Brad Jacobs, of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., who finished first overall in pool play to move straight through to the semifinals with a bye.

Koe fired a pistol to make a double takeout and win the fourth end. De Cruz made it all square in seven and forced the push to the shootout in eight as Koe was unable to count two. 

It was the first time De Cruz qualified for the playoffs in the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling in his 11th event in the series.

Meanwhile, Winnipeg’s Reid Carruthers eliminated former teammate Jeff Stoughton with a 2-and-1 victory in the other quarterfinal match. Carruthers faces No. 2 seed John Morris of Vernon, B.C., in the semifinals. 

Carruthers won the third and fifth ends while Stoughton was blanked on the scoreboard. The four-time Grand Slam champion Stoughton did pull out his classic spin-o-rama when he was forced to a push in the sixth end and showed he’s still got it as the rock landed at the back of the button. 

Stoughton’s Elite 10 Select squad included third David Nedohin, second Nolan Thiessen and lead Jamie Korab. The four legends of the game made a special return to the series for the event.

NOTES: Teams must score two or more with hammer or steal at least one without the hammer to win ends in match play. … The semifinal starts at 5 p.m. AT with the final Sunday at 11 a.m. AT. Watch on Sportsnet.