Knapp eliminated with loss to Gushue, McEwen eyes 4th-straight playoff appearance at Brier

Skip Kelly Knapp, of Team Saskatchewan-Knapp, delivers his stone during Draw 7 at the Montana's Brier Canadian men's curling championship, in St. John's, N.L., on Monday, March 2, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Daly

Just one of Saskatchewan’s two squads at the Brier now has an opportunity to snap the province’s 46-year tankard drought.

Regina’s Kelly Knapp, taking on Newfoundland and Labrador’s Brad Gushue Wednesday night in St. John’s N.L., was in a must-win situation.

Team Saskatchewan converted with a deuce in the 2nd end, but would trade singles throughout much of the draw.

With his final stone in 9, Knapp had an open takeout to score two and take a lead into the final end.

However, the skip rolled off the shot rock and spilled out the rings – earning just the single to tie the game at 5-5.

Holding hammer in the 10th, Gushue needed to tap his own stone just an inch to win. He executed without error to earn his seventh win of the week, maintaining his perfect 7-0 record.

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The loss eliminated Team Knapp from playoff contention.

Joined by third Brennen Jones, second Dustin Kidby and lead Matt Ring, Saskatchewan-Knapp close out their event Thursday against Ontario’s Jaden King.

That draw is set for noon Saskatchewan time on TSN.

The best Knapp may finish is 4-4, the exact record he had in his only other Brier appearance in 2023.

Team McEwen still alive

Meanwhile, Saskatchewan’s other squad remains in the hunt.

Led by skip Mike McEwen, the Saskatoon Nutana Rink sits third place in Pool B with a 5-2 record.

In Draw 14 against Manitoba’s Braden Calvert Wednesday afternoon, McEwen curled his worst game of the event – shooting just 67 per cent.

Calvert converted with each of his hammer attempts, scoring two in the 2nd, 4th and 6th ends while adding a three-spot in the 8th to secure the 9-4 victory.

The win keeps the Winnipeg rink in the mix to clinch a playoff spot.

With just one draw remaining for Saskatchewan, a win Thursday evening and one Calvert loss would lock in McEwen to the page playdown.

Joined by third Colton Flasch, second Kevin Marsh and lead Dan Marsh, McEwen has reached the playoff at three-straight Briers – two-straight with this current iteration.

McEwen also reached the playoffs in 2023 when he skipped Team Ontario.

In his 11th appearance, McEwen has never won a Brier tankard title. He did, however, reach the gold medal game with this exact team in 2024 in Regina - which he lost to Gushue.

Saskatchewan-McEwen ends their round robin with a draw against Matt Dunstone.

That draw is set for 5 p.m. Saskatchewan time Thursday.