The ice is melting, and so is Canada's perfect streak! In a stunning turn of events at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, the seemingly invincible Canadian mixed doubles curling duo, Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant, have suffered their first taste of defeat. The upset came at the hands of the United States' Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse, who delivered a nail-biting 7-5 victory that sent ripples of surprise through the curling world. This loss isn't just a blip on the scoreboard; it's a flashing red light for Team Canada and a massive morale boost for their rivals. How will this unexpected stumble impact Canada's path to gold, and what does it reveal about the evolving landscape of Olympic curling?
The Unbeaten Crown toppled
For Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant, this was supposed to be a coronation, not a setback. The Canadian pair had been on a tear, boasting a near-perfect record leading up to this crucial match. They had even managed to hand a rare defeat to the reigning Olympic and world champions, Italy's Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner, in a commanding performance that showcased their dominance. The victory over Italy, celebrated for its sheer audacity and a decisive five-point opening end, was a clear statement of intent.
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"The task for Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant Thursday afternoon was huge: play the reigning Olympic and world champions in mixed doubles in their hometown with a rink full of cheering Italian supporters." (olympic.ca)
This prior triumph against the titans of the sport made the subsequent loss to the Americans all the more perplexing. It raises a critical question: Was the victory over Italy a peak performance, or was the loss to the US an uncharacteristic stumble?
Canada's Dominance Shattered: Prior to the US match, Canada had been on a remarkable run, looking every bit the gold medal favorites.
The Italian Upset: Their victory over the formidable Italian duo, Constantini and Mosaner, was a significant marker of their strength and confidence.
The American Challenge: The US team, while not typically considered top-tier contenders in this event, managed to find the formula to dismantle Canada's winning machine.
A Closer Look at the Match that Changed Everything
The scoreline tells a story of a fiercely contested battle. A 7-5 defeat for Canada suggests that the game was tight, with crucial moments tipping the scales. The turning point appears to have been the seventh end, where the American duo of Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse executed a decisive double-takeout.
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"Dropkin made a double-takeout and stuck his shooter to set up a three-point seventh end that broke a 4-4 tie." (CBC Sports)
This single, impactful shot shifted the momentum and put the US in a commanding position. For Canada, it meant their bid for an eighth-end comeback was thwarted, leaving them with a bitter taste of defeat.
| Key Moment | Description | Impact on Score |
|---|---|---|
| Seventh End | US's Dropkin executes a double-takeout, setting up a 3-point score. | USA leads 7-4 |
| Canada's Final Shot | Peterman's attempt to score multiple points in the eighth end fails. | Canada scores 1 |
This tactical brilliance from the American side highlights the razor-thin margins in Olympic curling. A single perfectly executed shot can define a game, and the US team clearly had their strategy dialed in when it mattered most.
The Road Ahead: Great Britain and the Weight of Expectation
The loss to the United States has immediate implications for Canada's tournament trajectory. Their next match pits them against the formidable Great Britain team, who, according to reports, are undefeated at 4-0. This is no easy task for a team reeling from a surprising defeat.
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"Canadians (3-1) next face Great Britain (4-0) on Saturday." (CBC Sports)
The pressure on Peterman and Gallant will be immense. They now face the challenge of not only overcoming a strong opponent but also of bouncing back mentally from their first loss.
Unbeaten GB: Great Britain presents a significant hurdle, having maintained a perfect record.
Psychological Battle: Canada must prove they can recover from adversity and not let this loss derail their Olympic dream.
Championship Pedigree: Both Peterman and Gallant have championship experience, but this Olympic stage, with its unique pressures, is a different beast.
How will the Canadians regroup after this unexpected setback? Will they come out with renewed fire against Great Britain, or will the sting of defeat linger?
Whispers of Past Upsets and Emerging Powers
This isn't the first time that Canada's curling prowess has been challenged unexpectedly on the Olympic stage. While this specific loss to the US is new, the narrative of favorites faltering and underdogs rising is a recurring theme in Olympic sports.
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2018 PyeongChang: The Canadian men's team, strong favorites, were surprisingly defeated in the semifinals by Switzerland, ending their bid for gold.
Mixed Doubles' Volatility: Mixed doubles curling, being a newer Olympic event, has seen a more fluid hierarchy compared to traditional four-player disciplines. Teams can emerge and challenge established powers with strong performances.
The emergence of teams like the US, and the consistent threat from nations like Italy, Switzerland, and Great Britain, underscores the increasing parity in the sport. It begs the question: Are we witnessing a genuine shift in the global curling landscape, or was this simply a case of one team having an off day against a motivated opponent?
The Unanswered Questions and the Road to Gold
The loss to the USA raises more questions than it answers. The most pressing is whether Peterman and Gallant can regain their championship form and navigate the treacherous path to the medal rounds.
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Resilience Under Fire: Can the Canadian duo demonstrate the mental fortitude to bounce back from their first Olympic defeat?
Tactical Adjustments: What changes will their coaches and themselves implement to counter strong opposition moving forward?
The US Factor: Is this American victory a sign of a new contender, or a one-off performance against a slightly off-kilter Canadian team?
The Milano-Cortina Games are far from over, and the mixed doubles curling competition is proving to be as unpredictable as the winter weather. One thing is certain: the defeat of Canada's Peterman and Gallant has injected a thrilling dose of uncertainty into the pursuit of Olympic curling gold. All eyes will be on their next performance to see if this was merely a stumble or a sign of deeper vulnerabilities.
Sources:
CBC Sports: Americans hand Canada's Peterman, Gallant 1st loss in Olympic mixed doubles curling - https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/curling/gallant-peterman-canada-usa-olympic-mixed-doubles-curling-recap-cortina-9.7076892
Sportsnet: U.S. hands Canada first loss of Olympic mixed doubles curling competition - https://www.sportsnet.ca/curling/article/u-s-hands-canada-first-loss-of-olympic-mixed-doubles-curling-competition/
Team Canada: Peterman & Gallant respond magnificently to challenge of facing Olympic champions and their home fans - https://olympic.ca/2026/02/05/peterman-gallant-respond-magnificently-to-challenge-of-facing-olympic-champions-and-their-home-fans/
CBC Lite: Canada's Peterman and Gallant suffer 1st loss at mixed doubles curling worlds - https://www.cbc.ca/lite/story/1.7520667
World Curling Federation: Canada upset defending Olympic champs Italy at Olympic Winter games - https://www.worldcurling.org/2026/02/mico2026-md-d2-s3/
Filmogaz: Winter Olympics 2026 Curling: Stefania Constantini’s Title Defense Hit Early Turbulence as Canada’s Peterman and Gallant Set the Pace - https://www.filmogaz.com/135796
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