Beijing, March 7, 2022 Canadas Wheelchair Curling team suffered their first loss of the Paralympic tournament, but not before securing their fourth win earlier in the day. One win and one loss puts the Canadians record at 4-1 halfway through the 10-game round robin.
Coming into it, if someone said you could be 4-1 after five games, we would have been really happy with that, said Canadian skip Mark Ideson.
Canada had been on a roll, winning its first four games of the tournament, but the Swedes put a stop to that with a well played game – taking a two point lead in the third end, and stealing two more in the fourth.
We always have really great games with Sweden, said Ideson. We had some opportunities that we didnt capitalize on, but thats just sport sometimes.
The Canadians didnt give up however, and mounted several threatening ends over the second half of the game. In the fifth end, fourth rock thrower Jon Thurston missed a shot for three (maybe four) by a fraction of an inch when his takeout attempt rubbed a guard on the way by, barely missing his target.
We never feel like were out of it, said Ideson. After we got down a bit, we had to get lots of rocks in play. We had a few chances to score a couple, but we didnt quite manage to pull it off.
I dont think this is going to take the wind out of our sails at all, said Ideson. If anything, it might actually boost us up and get us focused on the next game.
Earlier in the day, Canada posted their fourth win of the week in a dominant performance in a 7-4 victory over the United States. The Canadians were never in trouble and controlled every end, putting pressure on the American squad every step of the way.
That was a master class of execution, said Wendy Morgan, Canadian Team Leader. Its nice to see when it all comes together like that.
Team Canada was already winning 2-1, when they scored two in the fourth, and stole three more in the fifth. After that, it was just a matter of keeping the sheet clean for the remainder of the game.
I feel like patience is the theme of the week, said Ideson. We can play it pretty safe, and wait for our opportunities, which is something we were able to do well today.
About Canadian Paralympic Committee: Paralympic.ca
About Curling Canada: Curling.ca
-30-
Brian Chick
Media Attach, Wheelchair Curling Team /
Coordinator, Canadian Wheelchair Curling Communications and Media Relations
Curling Canada
WhatsApp/Signal: 416-662-3833
bchick@curling.ca
Nicole Watts
Manager, Public Relations
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Tel: 613-462-2700
nwatts@paralympic.ca