News Canadian Open

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. — Toronto’s John Epping is now 2-1 at the Grand Slam of Curling’s Canadian Open with a 7-1 rout in five ends Thursday over Winnipeg’s Mike McEwen.

McEwen, who has won three Grand Slams including two Canadian Open titles, is even with a 1-1 record.

Epping jumped out with a 5-1 lead scoring three points in the opening end and two in the third. McEwen, who managed just a single in the second, came up light on his last in the fifth to give up a steal of two and shook hands.

Norway’s Thomas Ulsrud (1-2) also wrapped things up early to earn his first win of the tournament with a 6-2 victory over Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson. The 2010 Olympic silver medallist Ulsrud opening the match dropping a five-count in the first end. The teams alternated singles in the second and fourth ends and Eriksson (1-2) conceded the match after scoring just another lone point in the fifth.

Reigning Masters champion Glenn Howard of Penetanguishene, Ont., continues his quest for the $1-million prize with an 8-4 victory over Toronto’s Mark Kean. Already ahead by one in the seventh, Howard squeezed his final shot past a guard and took out Kean’s shot rock to score a decisive three-ender. Both teams hold 2-1 records. Howard won the first leg of the series two weeks ago in Abbotsford, B.C. and can earn the bonus if he sweeps all four titles.

Edmonton’s Kevin Martin (2-0) scored deuces in the first and third ends during a 6-5 win over Winnipeg’s William Lyburn (0-2) and Switzerland’s Peter de Cruz (1-1) scored a deuce in the fifth, stole one in the sixth and two in the seven during a 7-1 victory over Saskatoon’s Steve Laycock (0-2).