Canada clinches first place, didn't need hammer

It didn't take long for Team Canada to get back on track after a disappoint loss in an extra end to China. Martin's Canadian rink took to the ice the very next draw against Jiri Snitil of the Czech Republic. Not only did Canada win the game, but they did it in a very unusual way.

After giving up so many steals in their game against China, it looked like Canada was out to show that they're also capable of stealing points. In fact, it seemed like that was all they were able to do. The very unusual thing about this game was that Canada did not have the hammer at any point.

The Czech Republic started in the first end with the hammer. Martin went straight on the offensive and got a steal. Still with the hammer in the second, the Czechs again let Martin set up nicely, which earned Canada a steal of two points.

Third end: Canada steals another. Fourth end: you guessed it, another steal for Canada. Already down by a score of 5-0, Snitil was looking desperate to get on the board before the fifth end break. But it wasn't meant to be, as Team Canada stole yet another point in the fifth end to go up 6-0.

I don't remember seeing this many consecutive stolen ends since Sherry Middaugh's total collapse at the 2003 Continental Cup, where she went all ten ends in a skins game without scoring a single point. Luckily for Snitil, this game against Martin was not a skins game, so he could throw in the towel whenever he wanted. And that's just what he did. After finally getting a point in the sixth end, the Czechs elected to end on a high note and shake hands.

The quick six-end game boosts Canada to an 8-1 record, which is good enough to secure a first place round robin finish. With just two game remaining, the only three teams that can tie Canada's record are France, Scotland or Norway. Since Canada has defeated each of them in the round-robin, Canada will be given first place should a tie occur.

For the Czechs, the situation is completely the opposite. The loss puts them in a very difficult situation to make the playoffs. The Czech Republic must win their remaining three games, plus they need France, Norway, Scotland, and Australia each to lose all their remaining games. And even if that were to happen, they would only be looking at a tie-breaker.