Stoughton pulls into tie with B.C. with 7-6 win at Brier in Kamloops

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Manitoba’s Jeff Stoughton defeated B.C.’s John Morris 7-6 in an extra end at the Canadian men’s curling championship Thursday, leaving both at 8-2 and Alberta in sole possession of first place.

Morris was hoping to clinch a spot in the one versus two game with a win at the Tim Hortons Brier.

For Stoughton, a win would least guarantee a playoff spot.

After exchanging deuces in the first two ends, it was singles until B.C.’s Jim Cotter missed a double with his last rock in eight, letting Stoughton draw to the button for two to go ahead 6-5.

He held the lead into 10 when Cotter had to hit to take one and force the extra end but Stoughton used the hammer to score a single with an easy double bump to sit on the button.

In the only other game Thursday morning, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Brad Gushue beat Northern Ontario’s Jeff Currie 7-6. Gushue sits at 5-5 while Brier rookie Currie fell to 2-8.