Canadian curling power couple celebrates Valentine's Day before posting victories

BEIJING — It was a Valentine's Day to remember for Canadian curling power couple Brett Gallant and Jocelyn Peterman.

They celebrated the holiday with surprises for the other before posting victories at the Beijing Olympics.

"She gave me about 50 Valentine's Day cards," Gallant said Monday. "It took me about a half-hour to get through them all, but it was really nice. It made me feel really good."

Peterman, who plays second for Jennifer Jones, helped the Canadian team to an 11-5 win over Russia. Gallant, who plays second for Brad Gushue, helped the men's side beat Italy 7-3.

Gallant and Peterman plan to get married this summer.

"A dozen roses were waiting for her this morning," Gallant said.

LAST IN LAST STONE

The draw shot challenge has been a trouble spot for the Canadian curling teams at the Beijing Games.

The pre-game draw to the button is used to determine which team gets hammer. Each team throws two stones and the team with the lower total throws last stone in the opening end.

Canada was 5-21 overall in draw shot challenge - including mixed doubles, men's and women's play - after Monday night's session.

Cumulative statistics are used as a second tiebreaker - if more than two teams are tied - for playoff seeding. The first tiebreaker is head-to-head record.

EVENING PAPER

The curling stones had a little more action on them Monday at the Ice Cube.

The stones were "maintained" on Sunday night, a World Curling Federation spokesman said in an email.

Papering the bottom of each granite rock - also called "touching up," "sanding" or "texturing" - is done by ice technicians on-site.

The process impacts the rock's curl and speed on the ice.

STICKS 'N' STONES

Curling is a constant on the Olympic calendar - starting before