Mike McEwen advances to Brier semifinal with thrilling victory over Manitoba

Saskatchewan’s Mike McEwen advanced to the semifinal of the Canadian men’s curling championship with a 6-5 win over Manitoba’s Matt Dunstone.

McEwen stole a single point in the fifth and sixth ends to lead 5-1, but gave up single steals in the eighth and ninth to be tied coming home with hammer.

2:01 Saskatoon Blades all-time leading scorer Banham ready to see his number raised to the rafters

The skip executed a nose hit against three Dunstone counters for the win and earned a standing ovation from Regina’s Brandt Centre.

Alberta’s Brendan Bottcher and defending champion Brad Gushue were to meet in a later playoff game.

The winner earned an express ticket to Sunday night’s final while the loser dropped to Sunday afternoon’s semifinal to face McEwen.

The last Saskatchewan team to win a Brier was Rick Folk’s in 1980.