Skip to main content

Men's curling team solidifies semifinal chances at Beijing Olympics with win over China

Canada's Brad Gushue throws a rock during a men's curling match against the United States at the Beijing Winter Olympics in Beijing. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) Canada's Brad Gushue throws a rock during a men's curling match against the United States at the Beijing Winter Olympics in Beijing. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Share
BEIJING -

Brad Gushue knew he didn't have to do anything extraordinary with last rock.

He kept it simple and got the shot he needed, and Canada kept rolling in the men's curling competition at the Beijing Olympics.

Gushue hit a tap against two in the 10th end as Canada picked up its third straight victory with a 10-8 win over China on Tuesday.

"I was just trying to focus on what I needed to do," Gushue said. "Throw the right way, hit the broom. It was not a very difficult shot. So I was just trying to make sure I threw proper."

Canada appeared to be in control after a three-point eighth end gave Gushue's foursome a 9-6 lead.

China came back with two in the ninth end, and skip Ma Xiuyue drew to the button with his last shot of the 10th to put his team in a position to steal.

Gushue, who curled 90 per cent in the game, was on target with his final shot to give Canada the victory.

"Any win here is a good win," Gushue said. "We played good, we didn't play great. We got a couple of misses out of them in the eighth end, which gave us an opportunity for three (points) and just held on after that.

"If China makes those shots (in the eighth end), we probably only get one, and at seven-six you can never know what could happen."

The winning run has moved Canada (5-2) into third place in the round robin standings. The top four teams at the end of the round robin qualify for the semifinals.

Gushue's team faced the Russians later Tuesday before finishing their round robin Wednesday against Britain.

Canada's women's team was idle Tuesday. Skip Jennifer Jones and her rink were at 3-3 heading into games Wednesday against the United States and China.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2022.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Local Spotlight

Stay Connected