The most recent results have been close, but Brad Gushue’s impressive run through the first part of the 2017-18 curling season continues.
Gushue and his St. John’s rink of Mark Nichols, Brett Gallant and Geoff Walker won their 23rd straight game as they edged Greg Balsdon of Kingston, Ont., 7-6 in preliminary-round play Thursday night at the Boost National, a Grand Slam of Curling event being held in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
The team is 3-0 at the Nationals, a record that includes a pair of 7-6 extra end wins over Manitoba’s Mike McEwen and Scotland’s Bruce Mouat. There;s is one preliminary-round game remaining — this evening against John Morris (0-3), but Gushue and Co. have already secured a playoff berth in the Soo.
The Gushue rink’s winning streak includes 17 consecutive victories in Grand Slam play. The defending Canadian and world men’s champions claimed the first two Slam events of the season — the Tour Challenge in Regina and Masters in Lloydminster, Sask., earlier this fall.
Overall this season, the Gushue rink has a 32-3 record.
