The 11th was another cat-and-mouse end that quickly found itself down to Bernard and Norberg. Teams who are tied with the hammer in the final end win 74 percent of the time, and this time Canada had it. (Although when they were up two without the hammer, Canada's winning percentage was a less surmountable 90 percent.) Norberg's last rock of the extra frame gave Bernard the opportunity for an open double takeout to win. This has a higher degree of difficulty than a regular takeout, but it may as well be curling immortality's bar exam.
I'll let the official infographic explain it all:
Remarkable. The "couldn't win the big one" bugaboo rang partially true. The thing is, a silver medal is still a medal, and it's probably more than most Canadians would have figured for Bernard headed into the Olympics.
As for Norberg, Eva Lund, Cathrine Lindahl, and Anna Le Moine, they now own two straight gold medals. They're the only team to win back-to-back golds while staying intact, and that could be a feat that will stand alone for quite some time. Even if they do retire tomorrow, the aging quartet will not be seen much longer on the world circuit. This was their introduction to greenhorn fans and their farewell to the lifetime audience member.
Article comments
1 - Kenneth
I do not understand why Bernard tried the double takeout on that last shot - it looked to me like she could have aimed for the rock on the button, & that one only, & it's a much easier shot. I'm new to watching this wonderful game... is my suggestion in any way sound-? What am I missing here-?
2 - Jordan Richardson
She was going for the win and wanted to leave a rock behind to score, I assume.
3 - Matthew T. Sussman
The double was the right call because it was a wide open hit.
Examine the graphic on page two. To get to the shot rock, the guard on the left was protecting it. From the other turn, it was partially blocked by the second shot stone, and even if she did go between the stones and hit it, there was a high risk of rolling out based on the weight she'd need to get past that stone.
On the shot she took, if she nails that stone an inch more to the right, she probably executes the double and wins. Funny how these gold medal games come down to an inch
4 - Kenneth
So, basically, the double was actually the higher-percentage shot. In looking at it, I dramatically underestimated a) the difficulty of getting past the guard on the left & b) the likelihood that a heavy enough throw would slide out of the house entirely.
Thank you very much - I think I understand now. This was really bugging me.