SOCHI, RUSSIA – The U.S. men and women were a combined 0-5 after two days' play at the 2014 Olympics, but John Shuster's men's team ended the losing streak by beating Denmark 9-5 Wednesday morning at the Ice Cube Curling Center, with five of its points coming from steals.
"Getting a win was huge both for our team and for the state of curling as far as our country goes," Shuster said.
Shuster, of Duluth, said the arrival of his wife Sarah and 9-month-old son Luke in Sochi on Tuesday sparked an improvement in his performance, after disappointing losses to Norway and China.
"I got a text message from my wife last night that helped me get in a much better mindset," he said. "She just told me to remember to enjoy this and be a curler, because you are out here doing something that you have fun doing.
"It really changed my complete being."
China kept up its surprise run by beating Switzerland and Germany on Wednesday, leaving the team at the top of the standings with four consecutive victories. With Sweden losing 8-5 to Denmark in the evening session, Norway (3-0) is only other unbeaten team in the competition after defeating Germany 8-5 in the morning.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
