Canada’s Peterman and Gallant defeat Romania in world mixed doubles opener

STAVANGER, Norway – Canada’s Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant defeated Romania’s Iulia Traila and Allen Coliban 12-4 in their opening game Saturday at the world mixed doubles curling championship.

Peterman, from Winnipeg, and Gallant, from St. John’s, jumped out to a 7-0 lead after three ends. Romania used a power play in the fourth to score an open draw for three before the Canadians pulled away.

“I thought we controlled every end,” Gallant said. “We only had one unlucky break to kind of set up the three for them, but we were a half-inch away from making a really good shot and forcing them to one.”

The teams shook hands after Canada stole two points in the seventh end.

“They played well and made some great shots, but we had a good handle on our draw weight and that allowed us to set the angles up,” Gallant said.

Canada’s next game is Sunday against Ukraine’s Olena Pazderska and Yevhen Stadnyk.

Round-robin play continues through Thursday and medal games are set for April 27.