Winter Olympics 2022: US men reach curling semis, keep repeat gold in play

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John Shuster told himself not to look.

Three sheets away from the Americans' final match of the Olympic curling round-robin, Norway was playing Italy. A Norwegian loss would put the reigning gold medalists in the playoffs — regardless of what they did against Denmark.

"I tried to peek over there as little as possible," Shuster said Thursday after beating the Danes 7-5 to advance to the semifinals and keep his hopes of a repeat gold medal in play.

"We knew that didn't matter," he said. "If we go out there and we lose and someone else has to win, we’re probably not going to have good momentum going into the finals anyway."

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United States' John Shuster, right, celebrates with Matt Hamilton, left, during a men's curling match against Denmark at the Beijing Winter Olympics Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Four years after winning five straight elimination games to take gold — just the second Olympic curling medal in U.S. history — Shuster’s foursome was again in a win-or-go home position.

This time there was a twist, though: A U.S. loss coupled with a Norway loss would still put the Americans in the playoff.

No comparison, Shuster said.

"I was never at this Olympics in a place where I was last Olympics," he said. "I’m just a different person. I’m a changed person from that experience."

The Americans will play top-seeded Britain in the semifinals Thursday night. Reigning silver medalist Sweden will meet Canada.

U.S. second Matt Hamilton said reaching the playoffs was just the first goal. But the team is still motivated to come home with a medal — especially newcomer Chris Plys, who