CALGARY -- Saskatchewan's Steve Laycock strengthened his grip on second place at the Tim Hortons Brier with a 7-4 victory over New Brunswick's Jeremy Mallais at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Laycock improved to 4-1 after eight draws of round-robin play at the Canadian men's curling championship.
Northern Ontario's Brad Jacobs, who did not play in the morning draw, is the lone unbeaten team at 5-0.
In other early action, B.C.'s Jim Cotter topped Ontario's Mark Kean 8-3, Alberta's Kevin Koe defeated Prince Edward Island's Adam Casey 8-4 and Manitoba's Reid Carruthers dumped Jamie Koe of the Northwest Territories 11-3.
B.C., Manitoba and Alberta joined Brad Gushue of Newfoundland and Labrador in a tie for third place at 3-2.
Two more draws are scheduled for later in the day.
