TEAM USA CONCLUDES WORLD MIXED DOUBLES CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP 2022 WITH 5-4 RECORD
© WCF / Celine Stucki
The Hamilton duo of Becca and Matt Hamilton competed on Thursday evening at Center Sportif Sous-Moulin in Geneva, Switzerland.
In the final round robin game of the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship 2022, Team USA faced Canada in a North American battle.
After opening the tournament with four consecutive wins, the U.S. ran into trouble on Tuesday and Wednesday, dropping three games to England, Scotland, and Australia.
A victory over Hungary on Thursday morning brought the sibling teammates back into the win column and added momentum heading into their matchup against the already playoff-qualified Canadians.
With a 5-3 record, the United States either needed to top Canada or have England defeat Germany to punch a ticket to the playoffs.
Team USA got off to a hot start, stealing one in the first end by perfectly guarding the American stone that sat surrounded by five Canadian stones.
The second end looked good for another steal, but a double-runback on Canada’s hammer throw scored the Canadians a deuce and a 2-1 lead.
A crowded house in the third end left the U.S. sitting shot when Canada threw a guard to block the American’s draw path to the side of the button.
Becca Hamilton successfully navigated the tight port, but a rub off a stone in the four-foot narrowly missed earning a second counter and the U.S. tied the game at 2-2.
Canada took two points to lead 4-2 at the close of the half, but the U.S. narrowed the deficit to one point with a single score in the fifth end.
The sixth end favored Canada as they sat counting four until Matt Hamilton made a perfect hit and roll onto the button to sit shot under cover. Becca Hamilton corner froze on the United States’ last stone of the end, leaving Canada with only a long angle raise.
Canada made the raise, removing the American’s counter and scoring three.
The U.S. used the power play in the seventh end, generating a deuce to narrow the score 7-5, but it wasn’t enough to tie or win the game in the eight end.
With the use of a Canadian power play, Canada scored one point, making an 8-5 final score an eliminating the United States from competition.
The United States concluded the week with a 5-4 record, narrowly missing the playoffs and earning fourth place in their pool.
“Anytime you get to represent your country on the world stage is a huge honor, and to do it alongside my brother just makes it that much more special,” reflected Becca Hamilton. “While we would’ve loved to finish the week on top of the podium, I’m proud of the way we stuck together and rebounded when the going got tough.”
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.
