News Elite 10

FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — Glenn Howard of Penetanguishene, Ont., rolled out of the gate scoring points in the first four ends to down Saskatoon’s Steve Laycock during Draw 2 action Thursday at the Syncrude Elite 10.

Howard (1-0) won the first and stole three consecutive ends to take a commanding four-point lead. Laycock could only count one in the fifth and shook hands as Howard took the match 4-and-3.

Laycock (0-2) dropped his opening draw game to Winnipeg’s Mike McEwen. 

The non-major Syncrude Elite 10 tournament uses match play rules. Teams compete to win the most ends by either scoring two or more points (with hammer) or steal at least one point (without hammer). A blank results in loss of hammer similar to a skins game, however, the unclaimed point does not carry over to the next end.

Elsewhere, Calgary’s Kevin Koe defeated Sven Michel of Switzerland 3-and-1. Koe took the first end and stole the second to set up a two-point advantage. Michel couldn’t get the third and Koe scored in four to go 3-up. Michel won the fifth to get on the board but Koe stole the seventh to ice the game.

Koe (1-1) bounced back after falling in his Draw 1 game to Brad Jacobs, of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

Winnipeg’s Reid Carruthers defeated Niklas Edin of Sweden 3-and-1 in their first game. Carruthers won the fourth and sixth ends and stole the seventh.