Bottcher, Einarson qualify for Canadian Open curling finals
By The Canadian Press on January 14, 2023.
CAMROSE, Alta. – There will be some international flavour in the men’s and women’s final of the Co-op Canadian Open on Sunday. Brendan Bottcher’s Calgary crew will play Nicklas Edin’s team from Karlstad, Sweden in the Grand Slam of Curling men’s final at Encana Arena. Edin defeated Brad Gushue’s team from St. John’s, N.L., 8-5 in Saturday night’s semifinal. The game was tied 3-3 after four ends, but Edin scored three in the fifth and two more in the seventh to register the win. Bottcher edged Joel Retornaz’s Switzerland team 3-2 in the other semifinal, with Bottcher scoring one in the eighth end for the win. The Bottcher team consists of third Marc Kennedy, second Brett Gallant and lead Ben Hebert. The Edin crew consists of third Oskar Eriksson, second Rasmus Wrana and lead Christopher Sundgren. On the women’s side, Satsuki Fujsawa of Kitami, Japan will play Kerri Einarson of Gimli, Man., in the women’s final. Fujisawa advanced with a 7-6 win in Saturday night’s semifinal against Eun-Ji Gim’s crew from Uijeongbu, South Korea. Fujisawa scored deuces in the first, third and seventh ends en route to the thrilling win. Einarson scored two in the sixth and stole four in the seventh to defeat Isabella Wrana’s team from Sundbyberg, Sweden 8-2. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2023. 11-10
