GUSHUE CLAIMS 2018 TIM HORTONS BRIER

REGINA – Brad Gushue won a second straight Canadian men’s curling champion with a 6-4 win over Alberta’s Brendan Bottcher on Sunday in the Brandt Centre.

Gushue, third Mark Nichols, second Brett Gallant and lead Geoff Walker will represent Canada at the men’s world championship in Las Vegas later this month.

The foursome went undefeated to win last year’s world title in Edmonton.

They’re the first team to win back-to-back titles at the Tim Hortons Brier since Kevin Martin in 2008 and 2009.

Gushue was up 5-4 coming home with hammer and drew the button for the win.

Bottcher downed Ontario’s John Epping 6-4 earlier in the day in the tournament semifinal to meet Gushue.

Gushue advanced to the championship draw by toppling Epping 6-2 in Saturday’s playoff game between the top two seeds.

Gushue’s rink won the Brier last year in Gushue’s hometown of St. John’s, N.L.

(Canadian Press)