U.S. WOMEN IN MUST-WIN SCENARIO TO KEEP PLAYOFF HOPES ALIVE
WCF / Stephen Fisher
The U.S. women (Tabitha Peterson, Nina Roth, Becca Hamilton, Tara Peterson, and Aileen Geving) are in a must-win scenario to have a chance at qualifying for playoffs at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games.
With a 4-4 record after eight games of the nine-game, ten-team round robin, Team Peterson is among six teams that are in contention for the three remaining playoff spots.
Team USA will need to bounce back in its final round robin game after the previous two games slid out of grasp in heartbreaking fashion.
The U.S. controlled much of the game against top-seeded Switzerland before giving up four points in the ninth end. Following the loss to Switzerland, Team USA crawled back into the game after suffering an early deficit, ultimately losing on Canada’s final rock of the game.
“We didn't have the best execution and my last ones we were left with some really tough shots to even score a point. It was just tough,” said Tabitha Peterson after losing to Canada 7-6. “We're proud of how we battled back. All you can say is to have them throw the last rock, especially to be down three or four whatever we were at that point."
Due to head-to-head records and only one game remaining in round robin play, Team USA will need some help from other matchup results to have a shot at qualifying for the four-team playoff round.
“All we can control is ourselves,” added Peterson. “So, we just have to win tonight and hope the chips fall where they may for us."
Team USA will face Japan in its final round robin game tonight at 8:05pm (local time).
"We have to give it all we've got at this point in time. They're a good team and we've played them a handful of times this season and think we're about fifty, fifty with them,” said Tabitha Peterson in preparation for tonight’s game. “It'll be a good game and we need the win, so we're gonna go out and do it. We're ready for it."
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.
