LIVERPOOL, N.S. — Defending champion Tyler Tardi and his Canadian men's rink opened the 2019 world junior curling championship with an 8-7 loss against American Andrew Stopera on Saturday.

Stopera, the 2017 silver medallist, needed an extra end for the victory after Tardi's crew scored a single in the 10th for a 7-7 deadlock.

Tardi had a 4-1 lead through three ends before Stopera started to claw his way back.

The Canadians will try and recover on Sunday with a match against Norway.

Also, the New Zealand men defeated Italy 5-4 for their first-ever win at the junior world.

Scotland downed Sweden 11-4, Germany doubled China 6-3, and Norway toppled Switzerland 9-6.

The Canadian women skipped by Selena Sturmay open their competition on Sunday against American Cait Flannery.