Canada’s Brad Jacobs fends off Britain for 7-5 win in men’s Olympic curling

SOCHI, Russia – Brad Jacobs helped Canada hold on for a slim 7-5 win over Britain in a key round-robin match in the men’s Olympic curling tournament.

Britain’s David Murdoch gave his rink a 2-1 lead after three ends, before the Canadians (5-2) picked up three points in the fourth.

The British (5-2) replied with two in the fifth, but Jacobs earned a point in the seventh end for a 5-4 lead.

Murdoch tied it 5-5 in the eighth before Canada took the lead again in the ninth.

Britain had an opportunity to tie, but overcurled on their final shot of the match, giving Canada an extra point for the 7-5 victory.

Canada and the British are now tied for third in the round robin standings behind China and Sweden, who have identical 6-1 records.