Ontario's Scott Howard opens Brier with dramatic win over B.C.'s Catlin Schneider

Howard fists pumped in triumph on the ice and on the bench at the Canadian men's curling championship Saturday when Ontario's Scott Howard threw a walk-off double takeout for the first Brier win of his career as a skip.

The son of four-time Canadian and world champion Glenn — who is coaching Scott's foursome in Regina — skimmed a guard and made the double to score three for a 7-5 win over B.C.'s Catlin Schneider.

Scott was under pressure with just 18 seconds remaining on Ontario's time clock when he delivered his last stone.

"You want to have the rock in your hand in the 10th end and I knew the shot was there and we were running out of time," Scott said. "I've always wanted to skip in a Brier and this is the time that's come true."

The 33-year-old played third for his father twice in five previous appearances at the Brier. Glenn was skipping Scott's team until a knee injury forced him out of the lineup in December.

Glenn's fist flew into the air at the same time as his son's Saturday.

"That's what the Brier's all about. That's what curling is all about," said Glenn, 61.

"As soon as my knee went out in early December, the three of them raised their game exponentially. Scott took the helm as skip and he owns that position right now. I was just so proud of him to be able to come out and do that. You can see he's comfortable out there. He doesn't mind throwing the last shot."

In Saturday afternoon's other Pool A openers, Reid Carruthers beat Matt Dunstone 7-5 in an all-Manitoba matchup, Alberta's Brendan Bottcher earned an 11-3 win over Andrew Symonds of Newfoundland and Labrador and Northern Ontario's Trevor Bonot defeated New Brunswick's James Grattan 9-4.

Pool B play continued Saturday evening. Defending champion Brad