Ontario stays clear of playoff tussle at Canadian men’s curling championship

EDMONTON – The playoff race at the Canadian men’s curling championship is far from over.

Ontario’s Glenn Howard stayed unbeaten at 10-0 with first place in the preliminary round already secure. The defending champions defeated Eddie MacKenzie of Prince Edward Island 6-1.

Manitoba’s Jeff Stoughton and Brad Gushue of Newfoundland and Labrador both stayed at seven wins after Friday`s early draw. At 7-3, Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador were still trying to secure one of the four playoff berths to be decided.

Alberta’s Kevin Martin kept his playoff hopes alive with a 6-5 win over Newfoundland. The host province improved to 6-4.

Manitoba dropped a 7-5 decision to Jamie Koe of Northwest Territories-Yukon

The top four teams at the conclusion of the round robin Friday advance to Page playoffs with ties for fourth place solved by tiebreaker games.

Quebec’s Jean-Michel Menard and Northern Ontario’s Brad Jacobs were also in contention at 6-3.