Saturday, February 16, 2002
Law's rink remains unbeaten
By CHRIS STEVENSON -- SLAM! Sports
SALT LAKE CITY - The first step is done.
Canada's Kelley Law rink assured themselves of a place in the semifinal of the Olympic curling tournament with a 9-4 thumping of Japan to run their record to 7-0 Saturday morning and added a win over Denmark Saturday night to keep their record perfect.
They close out the round robin Monday against Switzerland, which has had a strong showing.
"I don't think it's been easy. Every game is a struggle out there," said Canadian third Julie Skinner, who has been nursing a sore hip. "All these teams came here to win a medal and hopefully a gold medal. Every game is a struggle for us and if it looks easy, it's not.
"Our philosophy has always been we want to build towards the playoffs, so we are going to start putting our game plan together with our eyes on the playoffs, building, getting stronger every game."
Canada defeated Denmark 9-4.
Japan, winless and out of the medal round, nonetheless pushed Canada. The Japanese led 3-2 after three ends after taking a deuce in the third. But Law was left with a draw for two in the fourth and made it and Canada was in control. The Japanese closed it to 5-4 after taking one in the seventh, but Japanese skip Akiko Kato's stones came up short in the eighth, allowing Law to take two. Kato couldn't get her weight down and came up light again in the ninth, allowing Law to steal two and the game.
"We had hoped to finish 8-1 (in the round robin)," said Law. "That was our goal, but to be 7-0 right (after beating Japan), we feel pretty fortunate, quite happy. We're playing well and seem to be getting better."
2002 Games Curling Coverage
