U.S. Men’s Curling Falls to Canada, Fails on the Hammer

Can’t convert chances on their hammer

Cortina Bay, ITA- The U.S. Men’s Curling Team was ready for their North American Showdown as they prepared to face Canada in their next match in the Olympics. After a solid start inside the first five ends, Canada started to earn the majority of the ends on the back four as the USA once again miscalculated their shots on the hammer and were forced to concede after nine ends to a final score of six to three.

Overview

After a point a piece in the first two ends, Canada forced a scoreless draw in the third end, retaining the hammer in the fourth end. The middle of the house was congested with stones from both sides, but on the hammer shot for Canada, Brad Jacobs found a way to slip it through all the stones and knocked out the only dangerous stone for the USA inside the button. With a second stone inside the four-foot, two points and a three-to-one lead.

Both teams would trade points again as Canada held the lead at four-to-two. Another scoreless draw in the seventh end, but the damage was done in the eighth end when Canada clogged the middle of the house as the USA had the hammer. Daniel Casper tried to make a big hit for an advantage, but it didn’t work as it didn’t hit the Canadian stone hard enough. Another two points and a six-to-two lead.

The USA finally got a point with the hammer in the ninth end to make it six-to-three, but decided to concede the match and gave Canada the win. Right now, the USA is at a win and two losses in three matches and is on a two-match losing streak. The men will play Germany next on February 14th and hope not to get their hearts broken again.

Olympic Curling News:

• U.S. Women’s Curling Team Finally Defeats Canada In the Last End
• U.S. Women’s Curling Team Falls to Sweden, Late in the Match
• U.S. Men’s Curling Team Falls to the Swiss in a Rough Second Game
• U.S. Women’s Curling Opens Round Robin Play With a Win over South Korea

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