Brad Gushue, Canada edge Norway to remain unbeaten in men's curling in Beijing

Brad Gushue's Canadian team is off to a perfect start in the men's curling competition at the Beijing Olympics.

Norway gave Canada a bit of a scare in a very tight and tactical contest, but Gushue and his cohorts came out on the right end of a 6-5 decision on Thursday at the Ice Cube to record their second straight win.

The Canadians opened their Olympic campaign on Wednesday with a 10-5 win over Denmark, while Norway earned a 7-4 win over Switzerland in its opening contest.

Canada's next game is against Switzerland (0-1) on Friday at 7:05 a.m. ET.

There are 10 nations in the men's curling tournament, with each team playing nine games. The top four at the end of the round robin advance to the medal round.

WATCH | Gushue's Canadian cohort remains unbeaten with win over Norway:

That Curling Show: What to expect from Team Gushue in Beijing

3 years ago

Duration 42:49

Joanne Courtney, Mike Harris and Bruce Rainnie join Colleen Jones and Devin Heroux to discuss Canada’s win over Denmark, how important it is to start off on the right foot and what we can expect from them moving forward.

Gushue said Canada's win came down to game management.

"We just tried to really control the game, and control the even ends. Those guys [Norway] gave us a couple of opportunities to do that. I thought they played great," Gushue said.

He later added: "Credit to [Walstad]. They pushed us hard in this game, and it's a nice win."

Both teams did a good job of reading the ice and making perfect shots to open the contest, but it was Canada who led after the first end following Gushue's draw for two with the hammer.

WATCH | That Curling Show discusses Gushue's victorious start to round robin:

Curlers must sweep strategically to use the ice to direct their stones

3 years ago

Duration 0:51

CBC analysts Mike Harris and Joanne Courtney explain how sweeping affects the pebbled ice surface.

Gushue made a great double take-out in the next end before Walstad responded with a take-out to score two with the hammer to level the score.

After a blank third end that saw Canada retain the hammer, Gushue posted a draw for one in the next end to put his side back in front. Walstad responded with a take-out for one with the hammer in the next end to tie things up at 3-3 after five ends.

Two consecutive blank ends allowed Canada to retain the hammer going into the eighth end.

Walker played a fantastic tick and roll with his second stone, and Gushe hit a great double-bump that was aided by some expert sweeping to score two as Canada took a 5-3 lead. Gushue played a sublime hit and roll with his skip stone to take away a possible score of three for the Norwegians, but Walstad replied with a beautiful angle-raise takeout to score two and make it 5-5 after nine ends.

WATCH | How sweeping affects the ice in curling:

Walstad's last stone in the 10th end was a hit and roll that paved the way for Gushue to make an open draw for a single to score one and seal the win.

"We're playing against one of the best teams of our times. We played a good game and we had some opportunities. I missed a double to force them in the eighth end, but they're playing so well and we can't afford to make any mistakes if we hope to beat them," Walstad said.

Gushue is looking to improve Canada's curling fortunes in Beijing after the mixed doubles team of John Morris — a mixed doubles gold medallist in 2018 in Pyeongchang with Kaitlyn Lawes — and Rachel Homan failed to qualify for the semifinals.

On the women's side, Jennifer Jones is attempting to claim her second Olympic gold medal after reaching the top of the podium in 2014 in Sochi. Jones and the Canadians open their Olympic campaign against South Korea on Thursday at 7:05 a.m. ET.

WATCH | Replay of men's curling round robin, Canada vs. Norway: