ONE GAME REMAINS IN ROUND ROBIN PLAY AT 2022 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS FOR MIXED DOUBLES CURLING
Photo by Bob Weder
In draw eight of the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Mixed Doubles Curling, the pressure intensified as teams continue to battle through tied records to the top of the standings.
On the feature sheet, Geving/Violette took an early and big lead over Bear/Stopera, scoring five unmatched points in the first three ends. Bear/Stopera threatened a comeback victory, leading 7-6 after six ends of play.
"We never really felt nervous at any point,” said Luc Violette. “It was just a matter of managing the ice. We understood the ice a lot better going away than the ice coming home, but we managed to figure out the ice coming home in the last end there and make the best of it."
Geving/Violette’s score of two with the powerplay in the seventh, followed by a steal of one in the eighth end gave the pair their fourth victory of the contest.
"We really enjoy playing together,” added Violette. “This doubles venture hasn't been going on for that long. We really just started at Nationals in May and every time we play together, we just enjoy it more and more. I'm really excited for what the rest of this weekend is going to show for us."
Burchesky/Richardson had a 7-4 advantage over Peterson/Polo heading into the final end of the game, but a missed takeout attempt from Burchesky/Richardson opened the door for Peterson/Polo to send the game to extra ends with a score of three. In the extra end, Peterson/Polo sat two counters under cover in the four foot. Unable to outdraw Peterson/Polo with their last, Burchesky/Richardson suffered their sixth loss of the tournament, moving Peterson/Polo to a 4-4 record.
With their win over Walker/Leichter, Persinger/Plys became the first team to secure a playoff berth at the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Mixed Doubles Curling.
Christensen/Shuster extended their win-streak to five games with a victory over Anderson/Dropkin. Making an open takeout for a deuce in the second end was the extent of offensive play that Anderson/Dropkin were able to generate in Friday’s noon draw. Christensen/Shuster rebounded with a score of five in the third end, marking their first of three multiple-score ends, resulting in an 11-3 final after seven ends.
Sinclair/Ruohonen held a one-point lead without hammer heading into the eighth end of their game against Hamilton/Hamilton. Unable to outscore Sinclair/Ruohonen’s two counters in the back of the four foot, Hamilton/Hamilton suffered their fourth loss.
"Today is a tough day,” said Jamie Sinclair referring to her final round robin matchups. “We're just happy to start off the day with a win. It's a big one for us.”
Sinclair/Ruohonen’s victory over Hamilton/Hamilton moves them to 5-3 in the standings before they play their final round robin game later today at 7:00PM (ET).
“We’re having fun and playing well, so we hope to do that same thing tonight,” added Sinclair.
Click here to view standings.
USA Curling is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear, Toyota, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Brakebush, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), and Sitrin, and is partnered with IHG, Rock Solid Productions Inc., Laurie Artiss Ltd. – The Pin People, and United Airlines.
