ROAD TO SOCHI American men clinch Sochi berth By Terry L. Kolesar, Editor


the Olympic Qualifi cation Event at the BLZ Arena. A big scoring end late in the game gave John Shuster (Duluth, Minn.)


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and teammates Jeff Isaacson (Gilbert, Minn.), Jared Zezel (Hibbing, Minn.), and John Landsteiner (Duluth, Minn.) a comfortable cushion that led to an eventual 8-5 victory over Jiri Snitil’s Czech rink. Facing elimination and the threat of not having a berth for Sochi multi-


ple times during the week, Team USA persevered to win its fi nal fi ve games. “We always seem to pick it up and bring it up the next step and fi nd a way to play better in a game,” Landsteiner said. T e team also includes Craig Brown (Madison, Wis.) at alternate and


Tim Muller (Hibbing, Minn.) at the coaching helm. “T e butterfl ies of winning for an opportunity like this, they never get


old. T at’s why we play this game,” said Shuster, 31, who won Olympic bronze in 2006 in the lead position. “T ese guys work their tails off and they’re some of the best in the business. I’m extremely proud of how well our team has played the entire season and especially here when we had our


Help curling continue to sweep across the country


Team USA members embrace moments aſt er clinching the fi nal available berth to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.


backs against the wall.” T e game was tight against the Czech Republic until the game-changing


eighth end when the Americans scored fi ve points to break open the game. “T e fi ve ender – sometimes they just come out of nowhere. We played a


good end and got some rocks positioned well,” said Isaacson, 30, who made his Olympic debut in 2010. “Truthfully, I didn’t envision I’d be back [at the Olympics]. T ere are so many great teams you have to go through … and it’s such a process and life takes over so you never know. You have to take them when you can.” ■


rocket exhaust


Top 10 Additional Comments Overheard in Bizarro Curling World Bizarro Code: Us do opposite of all earthly curling! Us hate beauti-


ful deliveries! Us love ugly misses! Is big crime to make any perfect shots on Bizarro World!) 10] Me almost disqualifi ed. Forgot to sign “Player/Coach Disagree-


ment” before starting game. 9] Skip yell “hurry,” me stop sweeping. Skip yell “hurry hard,” me


go sit on bench, take break. 8] Me hog easy draw to button. T em not say me “disown four foot”


for something. 7] Before throwing, me always fl ip rock over. T en make sure place


plenty debris on running surface. 6] Me play smart. Not forget old adage— if going to throw wide,


make real sure am also heavy. 5] Us unlucky— fail to lose coin toss. So us choose throw fi rst. Not


want “last rock disadvantage” in fi rst end. 4] Virtue-skip mad because me miss broom by 2 feet. Me throw bet-


T e excitement of Sochi is drawing new members to USA Curling. Show your support for the


growth of curling in the United States. Make an online giſt today at www.becomeafundraiser. com/e/usacurl2013 or mail your giſt to 5525 Clem’s Way, Stevens Point, WI 54482.


ter next time, be sure miss broom by 4 feet. 3] Me learn new delivery fl aw by throwing with de-stabilizer. 2] T em put rock in “Not Free Guard Zone.” Us forced to peel it out. 1] Me watch Bizarro Kevin Martin set record for most consecutive


losses. Him soon honored by being inducted into Hall of Shame. – Richard Maskel


eam USA will be represented by two teams for the upcoming 2014 Olympic Winter Games as the American men clinched the fi nal available berth by defeating the Czech Republic Dec. 15 at


USA Curling (( 5


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