U.S. drops hammer, giving Finland curling win
Last rock misses in 4-3 loss, leaving America 1-1 in round-robin tournament
 Elsa / Getty Images U.S. curler Pete Fenson missed with the final rock of the match, called the "hammer," in a 4-3 loss to Finland on Monday. |
PINEROLO, Italy - The U.S. men’s curling team went conservative against Finland on Monday night and wound up in the spot it hoped for: tie game, final frame, and the hammer — the last rock — in Pete Fenson’s hand.
But the American team leader slid the stone a few inches too far and left Finland sitting closest to the middle of the target, giving the Fins a 4-3 victory in the opening round of the Olympic curling tournament.
“A lot of times it comes down to the last rock,” said U.S. team member Joe Shuster. “We played the game to be tied up and him with the chance to bring it home with the hammer.”
The match remained tied through nine ends, which are like baseball innings, with one to go in regulation. The Americans held the last throw — an advantage so big that teams will usually forgo a chance at one point so they can retain the hammer and have an opportunity to score more.
That’s what Fenson’s team did three times against Finland, including the ninth end of a 3-3 game. In the 10th the rocks piled up in the target area, or house, while the Americans played for the last shot.
“When you’re tied up, it’s a pretty big advantage,” Shuster said. “But the shot’s not there every time. Sometimes it isn’t. But for us, most of the time it works out.”
|
Fenson took aim at a U.S. rock in the outer blue circle, with the goal of nudging it inside the Finnish stone that was closest to the middle. But he released a little too hard, his rock slid just past the yellow American stone he was aiming for and it tapped away a harmless red Finnish one.
“Ah, I’ll get over it,” Fenson said. “We’ve lost before.”
The disappointment was partially relieved by the Americans’ 11-5 wipeout of defending champion Norway in the opener Monday morning. Finland, which lost to Switzerland in the first session, is also 1-1.
The Americans had a chance to keep their record perfect in the nine-game round robin, which determines the four semifinal teams. They called a time-out with three rocks left to play, then used another minute or so to debate strategy.
Fenson then slid his stone into the top of the target area, protecting another yellow U.S. rock but leaving a red Finnish one closest to the center.
The Fins huddled, needing a plan to protect their scoring rock from the hammer. Markku Uusipaavalniemi — most call him U-15, rather than try to pronounce or spell his name — blocked the top of the house and, with the three other matches over, Fenson went back to throw the last rock of the night.
The crowd chanted “U-S-A!”
Fenson slid back for another look.
|
Shuster put his broom down to indicate the play. Fenson slid the rock down the sheet, but it curled a few inches wide left of its target and failed to knock a U.S. stone into the middle.
In other night matches, Canada beat Germany 10-5 in nine ends; each team had a bye in the morning. Britain beat New Zealand, also 10-5 in nine ends.
Sweden beat Italy 7-5 to improve to 2-0 and drop the hosts to 0-2.
Italy is not a traditional curling power — that’s reserved for the Canadians and Scandinavians — but gained entry into the tournament as the Olympic host.
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
-
Rate Story:
LowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM OTHER WINTER SPORTS |
 Other winter sports Section Front |
| Add Other winter sports headlines to your news reader: |
Sponsored links