Canada's Einarson defeats U.S., improves to 7-2 at curling worlds

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — Playing lighthearted bred wins and those wins in turn have Kerri Einarson's curling team feeling composed as the race to the women's world curling championship entered its home stretch.

That's a groove Einarson wasn't able to find in her world championship debut a year ago.

Canada's 9-3 win over the United States on Thursday morning brought the host country to a 7-2 record with a game to play at night against South Korea (6-2).

"I think we're in a good space right now, headspace, and feeling very confident going into the rest of the week," Einarson said.

The top six teams at the conclusion of the round robin Friday continue playing into the weekend for a chance at a world title Sunday at the CN Centre.

With a fifth straight win — their fourth was a forfeit by Scotland — Einarson's foursome out of the Gimli Curling Club controlled their playoff destiny.

Switzerland became the first team to secure a playoff spot at 9-0. Back-to-back champion Silvana Tirinzoni closed in on a bye to Saturday's semifinals that goes to the top two playoff seeds.

Third through sixth plays off earlier Saturday to get to the semifinals. The medal games are Sunday.

Canada tied for second with Sweden at 7-2, Einarson's round-robin win over the Swedes would rank the hosts higher in the event of a tied record.

Denmark, the United States, Germany, Norway and Japan were all tied at 5-4 followed by the Czech Republic and Italy at 2-7 and Turkey winless in nine games.

The Scots withdrew Sunday because four players tested positive for COVID-19.

Since the seventh end of Monday's win over the Danes, Einarson, third Val Sweeting, second Shannon Birchard and lead Briane Meilleur have settled into their ice reads and execution.

Sweeting