Epping edges defending champion Martin 7-6 in Draw 1 of Canada Cup

MOOSE JAW, Sask. – John Epping opened the Capital One Canada Cup curling competition Wednesday with a 7-6 win over defending champion and Olympic gold medallist Kevin Martin.

After Martin’s Edmonton rink scored two in the ninth end to tie the game 6-6, Epping brought the hammer into the decisive 10th end and earned one point to score the upset.

Epping, a native of Peterborough, Ont., scored four in the third end to take a 4-1 lead, but the veteran Martin got back into contention with one in the fourth and a steal of one in the fifth.

In other men’s Draw 1 action at Mosaic Place, Winnipeg’s Jeff Stoughton scored two in the ninth and stole two in the 10th for a 9-5 win over last year’s runner-up, Glenn Howard of Coldwater, Ont.

In women’s action, defending champion Team Jones out of Winnipeg scored four in the fourth end en route to a 9-7 win over Calgary’s Crystal Webster.

Team Jones is being skipped by Kaitlyn Lawes in place of Jennifer Jones, who gave birth to a baby girl two weeks ago. Jones is also recovering from knee surgery.

Saskatoon’s Stefanie Lawton downed Sherry Middaugh of Coldwater 10-4. Lawton scored two in the second end, then had steals of two and three to take a 7-1 lead after four ends.

Draw two goes Wednesday afternoon.