A TWO-WIN DAY KEEPS PLAYOFF HOPES ALIVE FOR TEAM USA
Team USA (Matt Thums, Steve Emt, David Samsa, Oyuna Uranchimeg, and Pam Wilson) is in a back-against-the-wall scenario to have a chance at qualifying for the playoffs at the 2022 Winter Paralympic Games.
On Wednesday, the Team faced two strong opponents in Latvia and Switzerland, coming out victorious in both matchups.
To start the game against Switzerland, the U.S. had last stone advantage, scoring one point in the opening end.
In the second end, the United States stole three more points to lead 4-0.
Switzerland tightened the deficit by scoring three combined points in the third and fourth ends before the teams exchanged singles and Switzerland stole one to tie the game at 5-5 after seven ends.
With hammer in the final end, Team USA put up a score of three, resulting in an 8-5 victory and the Team’s third win of round robin play.
“The team is getting better as the week progresses,” said Pam Wilson.
A few hours after defeating the Swiss, Team USA was back on the ice against Latvia.
The United States started the game with last stone, but Latvia was first on the board, stealing a single point in the opening end.
Team USA rebounded with a deuce before forcing Latvia to one point in the third to tie the game.
In the fourth end, Team USA generated a score of four points with the hammer, but Latvia was quick to answer with a score of three in the fifth.
Leading only by one in the sixth end, Team USA was able to extend its lead by scoring a deuce, which was enough to hold Latvia to single scores in the seventh and eighth ends, resulting in an 8-7 victory for the U.S.
“It’s been a rough week up to this point,” said Matt Thums. “We came in today knowing we needed two wins to stay in the hunt and everybody played great.”
Team USA’s win over Latvia evens the Team’s record at 4-4 with two round robin games remaining.
“Our energy was up, and the mojo was going today,” added Thums.
Team USA will look to carry that momentum into its next matchup against Sweden on Wednesday at 7:35pm (CST).
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.
