Canada's Brad Gushue beats Germany at men's curling worlds

Canada's Brad Gushue defeated Germany's Sixten Totzek 9-4 on Thursday at the world men's curling championship in Ottawa.

Gushue and teammates Mark Nichols, E.J. Harnden and Geoff Walker were in full control of the morning matchup at TD Place.

Canada improved to 7-2 with five draws remaining.

Gushue was scheduled to play Scotland's Bruce Mouat in the evening draw.

Switzerland's Yannick Schwaller (8-1) started the day on top of the 13-team round-robin standings. Norway's Magnus Ramsfjell and Sweden's Niklas Edin were next at 7-1.

The top six teams qualify for the weekend playoffs. The top two seeds earn direct berths in the semifinals ahead of Sunday's medal games.

WATCH | That Curling Show — Gushue prepares to face world's best on home ice: