Canada’s Gushue tops Norway to clinch playoff spot at world men’s curling playdowns

SCHAFFHAUSEN, Switzerland — Canada’s Brad Gushue clinched a playoff spot with a 7-4 win over Magnus Ramsfjell of Norway (4-5) at the world men’s curling championship on Thursday,

Canada led 4-2 after four ends, thanks to deuces in both the second and fourth, and then added singles in the sixth, seventh and ninth ends.

Gushue and his St. John’s, N.L.-team of Mark Nichols, E.J. Harnden and Geoff Walker improved to 8-1 to remain in second place in the 13-team round-robin standings.

Six-time champion Nik Edin of Sweden sits first with a perfect 9-0 record following a 6-4 win over the United States (4-5) in Thursday’s morning draw.