Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson edged defending champion Glenn Howard 5-4 in the opening draw of the Grand Slam of Curling’s Canadian Open event Wednesday night in Medicine Hat, Alta.

Glenn Howard prevailed as the overall GSOC champion last season, winning the Canadian Open and the Players’ Championship. (Anil Mungal/Sportsnet)

Howard stole one in the seventh to tie it 4-4 but Eriksson held the hammer in the final end and only needed a single to beat the 15-time Slam champion.

Watch Canadian Open action live from Medicine Hat, Alta., on Sportsnet starting Thursday at 1 p.m. AT.  Check their broadcast schedule here.

Eriksson is skipping his first Grand Slam event and also plays alternate for reigning world champion Niklas Edin.

Howard’s rink from Penetanguishene, Ont., won the Masters two weeks ago in the first leg of the Grand Slam of Curling and looks to sweep all four events this season to earn a $1-million bonus. [The final event is in Summerside in April].

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