Glenn Howard has been having a rust removal problem at the Tim Hortons Brier. You wouldn't know it from the scores of his first two games and from the fact he goes into Day 3 with a 3-0 record. But Howard was forced to throw his last rock in the 10th end to beat an again difficult to dispose of Jeff Richard of B.C.

"We're still a little bit rusty and we're still trying to adjust to the ice," said the Ontario skip.

"It's been a month since we won the province and a month since we played. We practiced a lot but we haven't played together and that's hard to do. It's the longest gap between playing that we've ever had."

They also met an unheralded team which took Manitoba's Jeff Stoughton to an extra end on Saturday.

"They played a good game. They're a really good team," said Howard, who had to draw the four foot to win.

Richard said two losses are two losses. But they've been happy with the way they've played against two top teams.

"We love playing right down to the last rock. Craig Savill made two perfect ticks in the 10th end or it's even a better finish," said Richard.