(by Jonathan Brazeau) YORKTON, Sask. — Mike McEwen stole points in the first two ends and remained in control to win 7-3 over Brad Gushue [whose team includes PEI native Brett Gallant,] and capture a playoff spot at the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling Canadian Open tournament Thursday night.

Mike McEwen (photo Anil Mungal)

McEwen took an early 4-0 lead thanks to a steal of three in the first and one in the second. Gushue cut the deficit in half with a score of two in the third. McEwen blanked the fourth and regained the four-point lead with a deuce in the fifth. The two rinks traded singles through the sixth and seventh ends.

It was a battle between this season’s two Grand Slam champions. Gushue defeated McEwen in the Masters final while McEwen took home the National title.

GSOC Canadian Open: Latest scores and stats | Brackets and schedule

Calgary’s Kevin Koe claimed the other A bracket playoff spot with a 7-3 win over Edmonton’s Brendan Bottcher in the afternoon draw. Although Koe’s team squeaked out a pair of wins Wednesday, they came out strong and applied the pressure early to lead 3-0 after the first three ends and added deuces in the fifth and seventh.

Click to read full story at the Grand Slam website.

Meanwhile, PEI’s Adam Casey rink, with two losses in the triple knockout are playing in the C flight, and face Sven Michel of Switzerland at 10 this morning Atlantic time, with the loser going home and the winner taking on the John Morris rink at 8:30 this evening. The winner of that game advances to the C qualifier at 10:30 AT Saturday morning.

Gushue faces Brad Jacobs in a B qualifier at 4:30 Atlantic this afternoon.