Martin, Howard undefeated

THE CANADIAN PRESS

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. -- Glenn Howard and Kevin Martin are tied with 5-0 records after nine draws at the Capital One Grand Slam of Curling.

Howard, a nine-time Grand Slam of Curling champion from Coldwater, Ont., recorded three wins on Friday, including a 7-4 Draw 9 victory over Winnipeg's Jeff Stoughton (3-2).

He also posed wins over Rob Rumfeldt of Guelph, Ont., 8-2 and Saskatoon's Steve Laycock 9-2 earlier in the day.

Martin stayed atop Pool B with a 9-7 win over fellow Edmonton native Robert Schlender (0-5) in Draw 9.

The Olympic champion won a see-saw battle against Brent Bawel of Calgary in Draw 7, scoring three points in the final two ends to win 8-7.

Jim Cotter leads Pool A after his Draw 8 victory. The Vernon, B.C., skip won 7-3 over Norway's Thomas Ulsrud (3-2).

In other Draw 9 results, Edmonton Kevin Koe (3-2) edged Winnipeg's Mike McEwan (2-3) with a 6-5 extra end victory; Sweden's Niklas Edin (3-2) doubled Bawel (3-2) 8-4; and Rob Rumfeldt of Guelph, Ont., took a 5-3 win against Steve Petryk (0-5) of Calgary.

Eighteen teams are competing for their share of the $100,000 purse. The champion earn $20,000, while the runner-up takes home $11,000.