There appears to be some bad blood between Canada and Sweden in men’s curling.
Canada’s Team Brad Jacobs boosted its record to 3-0 with an 8-6 win over Sweden’s Team Niklas Edin on Friday at the Winter Olympics.
But the most interesting part of the game had nothing to do with the score.
Television microphones picked up both teams grumbling to officials about the opposing team’s releases. Sweden, in particular, seemed to think Canada’s Marc Kennedy was touching the rock after his release.
While putting the rocks away after the ninth end, Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson went at Kennedy, accusing him of double touching the rock as he released, saying his hand was still touching the rock after the hog line. The two swore at each other continuously.
“I haven’t done it once,” Kennedy said.
“I’ll show you a video after the game,” Eriksson replied.
“How about you walking around on my peel dancing around the house here,” Kennedy shot back.
“I’ll show you a video when it’s two metres over the hog line,” Eriksson responded before the teams actually started curling again in the 10th end.
Kennedy got angry, and went right back at Eriksson before going their own ways.
The teams did shake hands after the game.
It was a two-win day for Jacobs, who beat Team USA earlier Friday.
Against Sweden, Jacobs scored four in the eighth with an open draw to take a 7-4 lead.
Edin, the reigning Olympic gold medallist and a seven-time world champ, is now 0-3.
Jacobs faces Great Britain’s Team Bruce Mouat on Saturday (8:05 a.m. ET / 5:05 a.m. PT, CBC Gem, Sportsnet+).
Jacobs won Olympic gold in 2014, the last time Canada emerged victorious in men’s competition at the Winter Games.
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Men’s Olympic curling standings, schedule, results
Team Brad Jacobs will aim to get Canada back on top of the Olympic podium for men’s curling for the first time since 2014 this month in Italy. Follow all the action with Sportsnet.
