Olympics

Kevin Koe gets back to winning ways as Canada defeats Japan in men's curling

Kevin Koe's Canada rink got back to its winning ways, defeating Japan 8-4 win Draw 8 of the men's curling tournament on Tuesday in Pyeongchang.

Canada plays its final preliminary round draw against Denmark on Wednesday

Kevin Koe and Team Canada defeated Japan 8-4 on Tuesday in Pyeongchang to improve to 5-3 with only one draw remaining in the round-robin. (Harry How/Getty Images)

By CBC Sports

Kevin Koe's Canada rink got back to its winning ways, defeating Japan 8-4 in Draw 8 of the men's curling tournament on Tuesday in Pyeongchang.

Canada, which had lost its previous three games, is now 5-3, tied for second with Switzerland and Great Britain.

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Sweden, at 7-1, sits atop the standings and has already qualified for the playoffs. The top four teams advance to the medal round.

Leading 6-4 after seven ends, Koe earned a single in the eighth and ninth, forcing Japan's Yusuke Morozumi to shake hands early.

Koe's win comes a day after a 9-7 loss to the United States in extra ends.

"We had to win," said Canada's Ben Hebert. "We played [with] maybe a little more intensity, a little more urgency, because our backs were against the wall.

"It feels great to get back in the winning circle."

Canada plays its final round-robin match against Denmark on Wednesday at 12 a.m. ET.

With files from The Canadian Press