Canada’s Brad Gushue defeated the Czech Republic’s Lukas Klima 9-8 in an extra end on Saturday at the world men’s curling championship in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.

Gushue, from St. John’s, N.L., made a hit-and-stick for the victory in the round-robin opener at the IWC Arena.

His team of Mark Nichols, E.J. Harnden and Geoff Walker was scheduled to play Germany’s Marc Muskatewitz later in the day.

In other early games, American John Shuster opened with a 5-3 win over Switzerland’s Yannick Schwaller and Sweden’s Niklas Edin dumped Wouter Goesgens of the Netherlands 8-1.

Defending champion Bruce Mouat of Scotland posted a 10-3 victory over South Korea’s Jongduk Park.

The top six teams in the 13-team field will qualify for the weekend playoffs. Canada is looking for its first gold medal at this event since Gushue’s 2017 title in Edmonton.

WATCH l Gushue successfully defends Brier title:

Gushue defeats McEwen for record-tying sixth career Brier title

Brad Gushue from St. John’s, N.L., claims his third straight Canadian men’s curling championship with a 9-5 win over Saskatchewan’s Mike McEwen.