BRANDON, Man. — Team Brad Gushue defeated Kevin Koe 5-3 on Friday morning to knock the 2015 champion out of playoff contention at the Canada Cup.

The St. John's-based team stole a point in the 10th end to move into sole possession of first place in the men's standings at 4-1. Mark Nichols is handling skip duties this week at the Keystone Centre as Gushue recovers from a hip/groin injury.

"Like I've said before, I don't mind it," Nichols said. "I enjoy third and I think my skill-set is better there, but it's satisfying to know that we're here competing against the best in Canada and doing well."

Charley Thomas is filling in as a substitute this week. Gushue is planning to return to competition at next week's Grand Slam event in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

Koe, from Calgary, fell to 1-4 in round-robin play. Steve Laycock of Saskatoon topped Reid Carruthers of Winnipeg 5-3 in the other early men's game. Both rinks were 3-2.

In women's play, Ottawa's Rachel Homan beat Val Sweeting of Edmonton 7-3 and Calgary's Chelsea Carey defeated Tracy Fleury of Sudbury, Ont., 7-4.

Winnipeg's Jennifer Jones was the only unbeaten rink at 4-0. Homan was alone in second place at 4-1 while Sweeting, Carey and Fleury were tied for fourth place at 2-3.

Two more draws were scheduled for later Friday. The finals will be played Sunday.

The winners will earn berths in the Olympic Trials next year. If a winning team has already qualified for the Roar of the Rings, the berth will go to the highest non-qualified team on the 2016-17 Canadian Team Ranking System as of May 1.