Howard still perfect, McEwen close behind, Gushue in 4-way tie at top of his pool at Canadian Open of Curling (CP/CBC)

(The Canadian Press) World champion Glenn Howard continued his perfect run at the Canadian Open of Curling while defending champion Mike McEwen kept pace Friday in Kelowna, B.C.

Mike McEwen reacts to a shot during the Canadian Open of Curling on Friday, Dec.14th in Kelowna, B.C.  (Anil Mungal/Sportsnet)

Howard (5-0) remained undefeated through Draw 9 after beating Rob Rumfeldt of Guelph, Ont., 5-4 in eight ends. The Coldwater, Ont., native overcame an early 2-0 deficit against Rumfeldt (1-4) by scoring twice in the second and sixth ends.

McEwen improved to 4-1 after clobbering John Morris, who is skipping Kevin Martin’s Edmonton rink, 7-1 in five ends. Morris dropped to 2-3.

Howard leads Pool A, McEwen holds Pool C and a logjam has developed in Pool B where Cotter, Brad Gushue of St. John’s, N.L., Kevin Koe of Calgary and Jake Higgs of Harriston, Ont., are tied for the lead at 3-2.

Click for full story from the Canadian Press at the CBC website.