On February 13, Canada’s men’s curling team defeats Sweden, the defending Olympic champions, 8-6 in a heated round-robin match at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson accuses Canada’s Marc Kennedy of double-touching stones past the hog line, prompting officials to monitor deliveries closely at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium.
Thrilling Match Action
Canada, led by skip Brad Jacobs, surges to a 3-0 record by scoring five points across the final three ends in this back-and-forth battle. Sweden, skipped by Niklas Edin, ties it in the sixth end but stumbles in the eighth when Edin misses a crucial takeout, allowing Canada to grab four points for a 7-4 advantage. Jacobs seals victory with a precise draw in the 10th end despite Sweden’s two-point rally in the ninth.
Cheating Claims Escalate
Sweden alleges Kennedy brushes the stone after the hog line release, evading electronic handle sensors that failed to light up—video supports their view, yet officials rule no violation since replays aren’t permitted. A fiery sideline spat erupts between Eriksson and Kennedy, with Kennedy reportedly snapping “f–k off,” igniting a “war of words” that Canada brands a potential “premeditated attack.” World Curling upholds the call, stating decisions stand once rendered.
Olympic-Wide Spotlight
This uproar trails prior hog-line accusations against Canada, amplifying global buzz around the Games’ new electronic tech. Both squads return Saturday, with unbeaten Switzerland joining Canada atop the standings after separately topping the Canadians
