Alberta's Kevin Koe overcomes difficulties in morning draw at the Brier

Alberta skip Kevin Koe shouts to teammates during the Canadian Men’s Curling Championships in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

SASKATOON – Two hog-line violations and a pick proved to be no obstacle for Alberta’s Kevin Koe.

Koe overcame the challenges to beat Brad Gushue of Newfoundland and Labrador 8-1 in Tuesday’s morning draw at the Canadian men’s curling championship. Third Pat Simmons was the victim of all three incidents. The pick took place in the second end and Koe was able to steal one en route to a 2-0 lead. Simmons had two rocks pulled in the third and fourth ends for hog-line violations. Gushue scored one in the third and Koe picked up one in the fourth to grab a 3-1 advantage.

Koe improved to 6-0 heading into this afternoon’s draw. Jamie Koe, Kevin’s brother and skip of the Northwest Territories-Yukon and Ontario’s Glenn Howard were tied for second at 4-1. B.C.’s Jim Cotter and Manitoba’s Rob Fowler were 4-3.

Nova Scotia’s Jamie Murphy was 3-3. He’s followed by Saskatchewan’s Scott Manners (2-3), New Brunswick’s Terry Odishaw (2-4) and Northern Ontario’s Brad Jacobs (2-4). Quebec’s Robert Desjardins. Gushue was 1-5 and Prince Edward Island’s Mike Gaudet was 1-5.

Manners and Howard are to play in this afternoon’s draw. Howard can set the Brier record for games played at a position in this afternoon’s. Howard is expected to eclipse the 174 games that were played by his brother, Russ.