McEwen rides pair of big ends to Brier final against 2-time defending champion Gushue

Saskatchewan's Mike McEwen advanced to the final of the Canadian men's curling championship with a 7-3 semifinal win over Alberta's Brendan Bottcher on Sunday.

A Saskatchewan team reached the Brier final for the first time since Brad Heidt lost to Kerry Burtnyk in 1995 in Halifax.

McEwen will attempt to end a 43-year Brier drought for the province. The last Saskatchewan team to win it was Rick Folk's in 1980.

The host province is a win away from the championship, but faces defending champion Brad Gushue chasing a three-peat and the sixth Brier title of his career.

“WAS THAT FUN GUYS?”<br><br>Mike McEwen is having the time of his life. <a href="https://t.co/KQtwqJYCV1">pic.twitter.com/KQtwqJYCV1</a>

The winner of the 8 p.m. ET match represents Canada at the men's world championship starting later this month in Switzerland.

Watch That Curling Show live from the Brier immediately after Sunday's final on the CBC Sports YouTube channel.

McEwen scored three points in the third and seventh ends to lead 6-2 and control the semifinal. Bottcher couldn't generate two points when he had last-rock advantage. Alberta shook hands after the ninth end when McEwen scored one.

SASKAAAAATCHEWAAAANNNNN<br><br>SASKATCHEWAN IS GOING TO THE BRIER FINAL. AT HOME ON THE PRAIRIES.<a href="https://twitter.com/TeamMcEwen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TeamMcEwen</a> defeats Alberta’s Bottcher 7-3. Clinical curling by the green team. <br><br>Gushue vs McEwen in the Brier final. <a href="https://t.co/4qwAAWz7rp">pic.twitter.com/4qwAAWz7rp</a>