Brad Gushue and his St. John’s curling team is 2-1 entering Friday night’s game against Alberta’s Kevin Koe at the Humpty’s Champions Cup in Saskatoon, Sask.
Gushue, Mark Nichols, Colton Lott and Geoff Walker suffered their first loss in the 15-team event, which Team Gushue won last year in Calgary, with a 7-6 extra end setback to Ontario’s John Epping Thursday.
Lott, from Manitoba, is filling in for second Brett Gallant, who is representing Canada at the world mixed doubles championship with his partner, Jocelyn Peterman, in Norway.
The Champions Cup is the final event on the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling season. It features the top 15 men’s and women’s teams on tour, with a combined $250,000 purse. The winning team receives $40,000.
Gushue defeated Yannick Schwaller of Switzerland 7-5 Wednesday, and opened the event with a 6-0, six-end win over Kirk Muyres of Saskatchewan Tuesday.
Playoffs are Saturday and the men’s and women’s finals are Sunday.
