U.S. Men's Curling Team Moves Into Second Place
Shawn Rojeski, left, and Pete Fenson talk strategy during the United States' win over Switzerland. The Americans are in a three-way tie for second.
(By Morry Gash -- Associated Press)
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With slower and swingier ice that allowed them to take more chances, the U.S. men beat Switzerland, 7-3, and moved into a second-place tie in the round robin tournament.
"Watching the girls go in the afternoon, we noticed [the ice] was swinging a little bit more," U.S. second Joe Polo said. "You can get more aggressive. It's nice to get aggressive because you don't have so many close games."
The Americans took charge in the seventh end, stealing a point even though Switzerland had the crucial last-rock advantage known as the hammer.
Final shooter Pete Fenson used his first shot to clear a Swiss stone away from the scoring target and leave a U.S. stone in position to score. That gave the Americans a 4-1 lead. Switzerland got two in the next end, but the United States answered with two in the ninth when the Swiss couldn't knock a U.S. stone off the white eight-foot circle.
Fenson drew his last shot -- called the hammer -- into the middle of the scoring area for two points and a 6-3 lead. In the 10th, he used his first throw to clear away a Swiss rock, and the Swiss didn't have enough chances left to force a tie.
The Americans said they have noticed more curl in the ice since the beginning of the Games, when players complained the ice was too fast to allow for the bending draws that give curling its name. "It's a confidence thing. When you're throwing it good, it gives you more confidence," Fenson said. "The more we play . . . the better guys know the ice."
Men's Curling Yesterday's Results United States 7, Switzerland 3 Norway 11, Italy 3 Finland 11, Sweden 4 Switzerland 8, Germany 5 Britain 8, Sweden 2 Finland 8, Canada 7 Italy 6, New Zealand 5 Today's Matches Germany vs. United States (USA, 8-11 a.m.) Canada vs. Italy Switzerland vs. Britain Finland vs. Norway
