News Masters

SELKIRK, Man. — Brad Gushue of St. John’s, N.L., moved up to a 2-1 record in the Masters with a 5-2 victory Thursday afternoon over Glenn Howard of Penetanguishene, Ont.

Gushue scored a deuce in the opening end and never relinquished the lead adding single points in the third and sixth ends plus a steal in the seventh. Howard (1-1) couldn’t generate the offence needed settling for singles in two and four.

Elsewhere, Winnipeg’s Mike McEwen (2-0) nailed an impressive takeout to score two in the final end and lift his team to a 4-3 win over Switzerland’s Sven Michel (2-1).

Saskatoon’s Steve Laycock improved to 3-0 scoring a deuce in the final end to win 6-5 over Jim Cotter of Vernon, B.C. Cotter dropped to an 0-2 record.

Scotland’s David Murdoch picked up his first win at the Masters earning a 7-6 decision in a back-and-forth battle with Calgary’s John Morris. Murdoch (1-2) stole one in the first and two in the second, but Morris (1-1) bounced back from the three-point deficit with a deuce in the third and single steals in the fourth and the fifth ends to go up 4-3. The teams traded deuces in six and seven and Murdoch scored another two in the eighth for the crucial victory.

Niklas Edin of Sweden scored three in the fourth and stole two in the fifth during a 7-3 win over Calgary’s Kevin Koe. Both are level with 1-1 records.

The Masters continues with Draw 8 action at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT live on Sportsnet featuring Winnipeg’s Jennifer Jones versus Edmonton’s Val Sweeting.