Top-seed Gushue stays sharp to reach Boost National men’s semifinals
CHESTERMERE, Alta. — Top playoff seed Brad Gushue and his St. John’s, N.L., crew extended their unbeaten streak in the Boost National to four games.
A draw for three points in the fifth end proved to be the difference-maker as Gushue earned a 6-3 victory over Scotland’s Team Ross Whyte during Saturday’s quarterfinals at Chestermere Recreation Centre.
The 11-time Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling men’s champion Gushue clashes with Calgary’s Team Kevin Koe in the evening semifinals.
The local favourite Koe, who just needs a National title to complete a career Grand Slam, scored three in the first frame and cruised from there to oust Regina’s Team Matt Dunstone 8-3.
Bruce Mouat and his Scottish squad will continue their quest to win a fourth consecutive GSOC men’s title after bouncing Edmonton’s Team Brendan Bottcher 8-2.
Mouat, who captured the Masters two weeks ago in Oakville, Ont., meets Switzerland’s Team Peter de Cruz in the semis.
De Cruz handed Sweden’s Team Niklas Edin their first and only loss of the tournament with a 4-2 decision to advance to the final four.
Boost National: Live Scores and Playoff Brackets | Draw Schedule | Broadcast Schedule
Team Tracy Fleury of East St. Paul, Man., defeated Edmonton’s Team Laura Walker 7-5, Edmonton’s Team Kelsey Rocque beat Team Isabella Wranå of Sweden 7-5, Switzerland’s Team Silvana Tirinzoni shaded Team Alina Kovaleva from Russia 5-3 and Sweden’s Team Anna Hasselborg dispatched Ottawa’s Team Rachel Homan 8-7 during the women’s quarterfinals earlier Saturday.
Fleury will face Rocque and Tirinzoni takes on Hasselborg in the semifinals.
UP NEXT
Watch the men’s and women’s semifinals at 10 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. MT on Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet NOW (Canada) and Yare (international).
Both championship games are set for Sunday on Sportsnet starting with the men’s final at Noon ET / 10 a.m. MT followed by the women’s final at 4 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. MT.
NO TICK ZONE
Teams cannot tick guards off of the centre line while the five-rock, free guard zone is in effect during the eighth and extra ends.
NOTES
The Boost National is the second of five events on the 2021-22 Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling schedule and features 16 of the top men’s teams and 16 of the top women’s teams from around the world with a combined $300,000 prize purse. … The winning teams earning $33,000 plus spots in the season-ending KIOTI Tractor Champions Cup. … Tickets are available at boost.goigniter.com.
