Canada’s Brad Jacobs earned an 8-6 victory over Sweden’s Niklas Edin Tuesday at the BKT World Men’s Curling Championship in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, improving to 4-1 in the round robin.
The win came after Canada entered the match with a strategy to force Edin, the defending world champion, to attempt difficult shots. According to Canadian vice-skip Marc Kennedy, the team aims to craft opponents throw “hard ones early—tough doubles and tough runbacks,” particularly in morning games. “If you can make them throw hard ones early…maybe they’re not fully awake,” Kennedy said.
Edin missed two hit attempts during the game, allowing Canada to gain control. Jacobs drew for three in the fourth end, establishing a lead that the team maintained. Canada then defeated Italy’s Joel Retornaz 4-2 in the evening draw, raising their record to 5-1.
The Canadian team, comprised of Jacobs, Kennedy, second Brett Gallant, and lead Ben Hebert, have found success playing morning games. “We’ve actually been a really good morning team, waking up, getting energized, getting activated,” Kennedy stated. “By the time we’re out on the ice for a morning game, it almost feels like an afternoon game.”
Despite a stolen point in the opening end, Canada responded with a deuce in the second. The team secured the win with a hit by Jacobs in the tenth end while leading by one point. Edin’s team, also the reigning Olympic champions, has faced a challenging season, currently ranked 13th in the world.
The victory over Canada marked Edin’s second loss of the tournament. He is currently 39-29 since undergoing right wrist surgery.
