Canada’s Homan, Morris comes short against Sweden in mixed double curling
Canada’s Rachel Homan and John Morris saw their winning streak of three matches snapped in mixed doubles curling on Saturday at the Beijing Olympics.
The Canadians came out on the wrong side of a 6-2 loss in seven finals against Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson and Almida de Val in a marquee match-up between two of the best pairs in the competition.
Sweden improved to 4-2. Canada’s record dropped to 3-2. Italy (4-0) tops the position. The top four nations from the 10-team field at the end of the nine-match round-robin advance to the semifinals.
Earlier in the day, Sweden won 6-1 against Switzerland, while Canada hit the ice for the first time on Saturday in this competition.
For the first time in Beijing, Canada had the hammer to start a match on Saturday, but it could not be used because Sweden stole one in the first end.
The Swedes played five big stones in a row in the next final, including a number of guards, to record back to back and double their advantage.
Homan played a stroke and rolled to put Canada on the board in the third end, but Eriksson threw a double knockout and de Val pulled the button in the fourth to make three and go up to 5-1.
SE | Homan’s man holds down the fort at home:
Shawn Germain takes us into his and Rachel’s home and updates us on what it’s like to juggle his dad’s duties and cheer from home. 9:45
Canada made one in the next finish to cut into Sweden’s lead. Faced with a must-steal situation at the sixth end, the Canadians fell short when they Val made one on a take-out with the last stone.
A rare miss by Eriksson with Sweden’s second stone in the seventh offered Canada a streak of hope. But the Canadians could not take advantage and the two teams shook hands to end the match.
Canada returns to action later on Saturday against the United States (7:05 ET).
All competitions will be streamed live CBC GemCBC Sports app and CBC Sports Beijing 2022 website.
SE | That curling show: Homan and Morris cruise at the Olympics:
Curling commentators Joanne Courtney and Mike Harris discuss Canada’s return to form as Joanne provides in – depth knowledge of Rachel Homan’s laser focus. Homan’s husband, Shawn Germain, also joins the show with his daughter Bowyn to show how they cheer on mom at the Olympics. 37:00