Two-time defending champion Brad Gushue and his Team Canada rink of St. John’s split their first two matches at the Montana’s Brier curling championship in Regina, Sask.

The team got off to a good start Friday, beating Matthew Manuel’s Nova Scotia rink 7 to 4. During that game, Gushue had to ask staff to remove a spectator, who was leaning over the boards and loudly heckling him. 

In a close match Saturday night, Gushue dropped a tough 7-6 decision to Mike McEwan’s Saskatchewan rink.

Gushue, a former Olympic and world champion, has five Brier victories under his belt. His team is comprised of mate Mark Nichols, second E.J. Harnden and lead Geoff Walker.

His team takes on Quebec this evening. 

The Andrew Symonds rink, out of St. John’s, is also competing in the event as this provincial representatives.

The team lost its opening games — 11 to 3 to Alberta on Saturday and 7-6 to Northern Ontario Sunday.

Symonds will take on British Columbia tonight.

The lead on Symonds’ rink, Alex Smith, is playing in this year’s Brier 35 years after playing his first. With that, he stepped into the record books with the biggest gap between Brier appearances. Other members of the team are third Colin Thomas and second Stephen Trickett.