Canada remains undefeated with 8-3 win over Ireland at mixed doubles curling worlds

KARLSTAD, Sweden – Canada scored a decisive three points in the fifth end in an 8-3 win over Ireland on Monday at the world mixed doubles curling championship.

After the Irish duo of Alison Fyfe and Neil Fyfe opened with a point in the first end, Canada’s team of Marliese Kasner and Dustin Kalthoff responded with a deuce in the second and a steal of two in the third.

Ireland responded with a point in the fourth before Canada took control with a three-point fifth.

The teams traded singles in the sixth and seventh ends before the teams shook hands.

The win moved Canada into second place in the Group D standings at 2-0. China leads at 3-0.

The Canadian team, which includes national coach Jeff Stoughton and team leader Jim Waite, are in a group that also includes Australia, Italy and Serbia. The top two finishers are guaranteed berths in the 16-team playoffs, while the third-place finisher also has a chance, based on the draw-shot challenge totals.

This is the first event that counts toward a spot at the 2018 Olympics. The results in Karlstad will be combined with the 2017 world mixed doubles in Lethbridge, Alta., to decide the seven countries who will join host South Korea when mixed doubles makes its Olympic debut.