CurlingZone: Gushue Draws Button To Win Astec Opener

Brad Gushue of St. John's needed every inch to spare against Carl deConinck Smith on Wednesday. (Photo: Stan Fong, Hardline Curling)

Gushue, with Mark Nicholls calling the shot, had second Brendan Bottcher and lead Geoff Walker guide the last rock of the eighth end onto the button to score a single point to win 5-4.

deConinck Smith with Ryan Deis at third, Kalin Deis at second and Mike Robson at lead gave the #3 world ranked Gushue a battle from the start, taking hammer in the pre-game draw challenge, then scoring a single to get on the board.

Gushue scored two points in the second end with deConinck Smith evening the scored with another single point in the third end.

After a blank in the fourth end, Gushue scored two points in the fifth end to open a 4-2 lead.

deConinck Smith didn't back down, scoring a single point in the sixth end, then stealing another in the seventh end to even up the score into the final end.

Gushue advances in the A-event bracket to play Scott Howard of Penetanguishene, Ontario, while deConinck Smith drops into the B-event bracket, where they will face Winnipeg's Reid Carruthers. Teams return to the ice on Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm Mountain Time for the fourth draw of the event.

Three teams advance through the A-event into Saturday's playoff round with three more advancing through the B-event bracket for one-game losers. Two more playoff teams advance through the C-event bracket for two-game losers.

The final eight teams will play a single knockout tournament for the title.

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