NISKU –
Brad Gushue secured a playoff berth in curling’s Co-op Canadian Open with a 5-4 win over his international archrival Niklas Edin on Thursday.
Gushue remained unbeaten at 3-0 in the second Grand Slam of the season, while Edin dropped to 2-1 in their group.
Gushue of St. John’s, N.L., defeated Edin to win the 2017 world championship, but lost to the Swede in the 2018, 2022 and 2024 finals.
Gushue executed a finesse raise in the seventh end to score three at the Silent Ice Centre in Nisku, Alta. Edin countered with just two in the eighth.
Gushue joins Canada’s Brad Jacobs and Scotland’s Bruce Mouat and Ross Whyte among men’s teams at 3-0 atop their respective groups with playoff berths assured.
The top eight teams advance from 16. The quarterfinals and semifinals are scheduled for Saturday followed by the men’s and women’s finals Sunday.
Whyte defeated Canada’s Reid Carruthers …