Women Deliver Knockout

Skip Kari Erickson knocked out a Japanese stone on the last shot to rally the United States women’s curling team to an 8-7 victory in its opening Olympic match Tuesday.

In a late match, the U.S. women defeated Sweden, 6-5, on Erickson’s last shot.

In other women’s matches, two-time defending world champion Canada edged Norway, 6-5; Switzerland defeated Russia, 7-6; Sweden topped Britain, 7-4; Germany defeated Denmark, 9-5, Canada edged Russia, 7-6, and Britain blew out Japan, 9-1.

After falling behind Japan, 6-1, the U.S. women scored three in the sixth end, or inning, and got one each in the seventh and eighth to tie.

In men’s play, Canada improved to 3-0 with a 9-4 victory over Finland. Sweden defeated Great Britain, 7-2; Switzerland topped Denmark, 10-6; and Norway routed France, 9-2.

Canada is the only unbeaten men’s team.

The top four teams in each of the 10-squad tournaments advance to the medal rounds.