Reigning national champs Einarson, Bottcher win Grand Slam of Curling openers
Ontario's Epping, Newfoundland and Labrador's Gushue also post early wins
The reigning national women's and men's champions are off to winning starts at the 2021 Grand Slam of Curling.
Kerri Einarson's Manitoba rink and Brendan Bottcher's Alberta team both went 2-0 on opening day of the Humpty's Champions Cup on Thursday.
Einarson downed Ontario's Rachel Homan 6-3 in the opening draw, then toppled American Tabitha Peterson 9-2.
Sweden's Niklas Edin, who captured the men's world championship on Sunday, lost 6-2 to Alberta's Kevin Koe but rebounded in the evening draw with a 7-1 win over Jason Gunnlaugson, who is 0-2 with an 8-3 loss to Epping earlier in the day.
Scotland's Bruce Mouat and Newfoundland and Labrador's Brad Gushue also posted wins in their opening games on the men's side, while Manitoba's Tracy Fleury and Scotland's Eve Muirhead were victorious on the women's side.
