Playoff-bound Canada beats China and Switzerland at men’s curling worlds

The BKT World Men’s Curling Championship is heating up with the host team, Canada, leading the pack. Brad Jacobs and his team have been in fine form, securing a playoff spot with a record of 9-1 after a pair of wins against China and Switzerland.

In their morning draw, Canada dominated China with an 8-2 victory before going on to defeat Switzerland 10-4 in the evening. Jacobs expressed his desire to finish strong and potentially secure the top spot heading into the playoffs.

Switzerland’s Yannick Schwaller, ranked just behind Jacobs at No. 4 in the world, struggled against Canada. Despite a strong performance earlier in the day against Italy, Schwaller couldn’t keep up with the Canadian team and suffered a decisive loss.

Scotland, currently tied for second place with Switzerland and Sweden, has been inconsistent throughout the tournament. Despite holding the top spot in the world rankings, Scotland has faced challenges at the Temple Gardens Centre.

Defending champion Niklas Edin of Sweden has been dealing with injuries but seems to be finding his stride as the competition progresses. China, who led the standings briefly, suffered a setback with a loss to Japan, leaving them at 6-4 along with Norway.

As the top six teams advance to the playoffs, Czechia is on the cusp of qualification with a record of 6-5. Other notable teams like Italy, Germany, and the United States have struggled to make an impact, while Japan, South Korea, and Austria are at the bottom of the standings.

Canada’s coach, Paul Webster, praised the parity in the competition, highlighting the competitive nature of the event. With qualification games and semifinals scheduled for Saturday, Canada is aiming to secure their first gold medal since 2017.

The excitement continues to build at the BKT World Men’s Curling Championship as teams battle for supremacy on the ice. Stay tuned for more thrilling matches and high-stakes action as the tournament reaches its climax.