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Who: Canada’s Brad Jacobs and Rachel Homan rinks.
What: Jacobs defeated Great Britain’s Bruce Mouat 9-5; Homan beat Sweden’s Anna Hasselborg 8-6.
When: Feb. 17, 2026.
Where: Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, Milano-Cortina Winter Games.
Why it matters: The results changed playoff probabilities, seeding and momentum in both round-robin pools.
How Jacobs’ victory sealed a playoff berth
Brad Jacobs’ 9-5 win over Bruce Mouat secured a top-four finish for Canada in the men’s round robin. The victory left Canada at 6-1, behind Switzerland’s Yannick Schwaller at 7-0. From a strategic perspective, the result reduced uncertainty around Canada’s progression to the knockout stage.
The data shows a clear trend: late-round wins against direct rivals materially improve seeding and matchups in single-elimination play. Jacobs’ rink scored multiple two-point ends, forcing Mouat into aggressive strategies that produced turnovers. That game pattern compressed the remaining scenarios for qualification.
At Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, every late-round match carries amplified significance for draw weight and hammer retention. Jacobs’ win therefore functions as both a points gain and a momentum shift for Canada entering the playoffs.
The operational framework consists of three immediate impacts: qualification certainty, improved seeding probability, and psychological advantage heading into elimination rounds. Concrete actionable steps for teams in Jacobs’ position include tightening defensive zone strategy, prioritizing hammer retention, and simulating opponent aggression under time pressure.
Building on Jacobs’ earlier plan to tighten the defensive zone and protect the hammer, the match swung decisively in the late stages. Jacobs’ rink — led by Brad Jacobs with Marc Kennedy, Brett Gallant and Ben Hebert — produced a three-point score in the seventh end. They followed that with consecutive singles to open an unassailable margin. The final score stood at 9-5, reinforcing the tournament pattern that teams reaching six wins in the round robin have historically locked a semifinal berth.
Key moments and tactical plays
The seventh end proved decisive. Jacobs’ team generated traffic in front of the house and then executed a high-percentage takeout to clear scoring lanes. Opponent stones were forced into difficult angles, reducing Mouat’s access to a multi-point reply.
After the three-point swing, Jacobs shifted to protection and clock management. The rink opted for simpler shot selection. That strategy prioritized hammer retention and limited opponent opportunities to generate multiple points.
From a strategic perspective, two elements stood out. First, Jacobs’ front-end controlled the centre line and prioritized stone placement over risky angle shots. Second, the skip sequence emphasized scoreboard management, trading ends when necessary to conserve time and guard the lead.
The data shows a clear trend: late-end aggression followed by conservative finish often converts narrow leads into decisive victories in round-robin formats. Jacobs’ execution matched that pattern in this match.
Implications for semifinal qualification were immediate. With the win confirming the six-win historical threshold, Jacobs’ rink strengthened its path to the final four. Opponents will need to overturn both the scoreboard deficit and the tactical momentum established in the closing ends.
Opponents will need to overturn both the scoreboard deficit and the tactical momentum established in the closing ends. Canada seized a turning point when it exploited a complex stone configuration in the four-foot to convert multiple scoring opportunities, leaving Great Britain behind on the scoreboard.
Mouat’s rink attempted to respond with aggressive play, but consecutive Canadian steals in the eighth and ninth ends effectively closed the contest. The victory reversed a historical pattern in the head-to-head rivalry; despite a long run of British dominance, Jacobs delivered the most consequential win to date by securing Olympic advancement.
Homan halts Sweden’s unbeaten run and builds momentum
Homan halts sweden’s unbeaten run and builds momentum
Who: Rachel Homan and her team of Tracy Fleury, Emma Miskew and Sarah Wilkes. What: an 8-6 victory over Anna Hasselborg’s previously unbeaten Swedish rink. Where: on the event ice during the round-robin session. Why it matters: the win ended Sweden’s run and moved Canada to 4-3, keeping the team inside the playoff picture.
The match shifted in clear phases. Canada opened strongly and produced an early two. Sweden responded with a three-point end that regained control. A pivotal triple takeout in the eighth swung momentum back to Canada and created a lead opportunity.
The deciding moment came in the 10th end. Homan executed a precise nose hit for a deuce. Her team’s sweepers and line calls were decisive on the final shot, underscoring the fine margins that determine outcomes in elite curling.
From a strategic perspective, the victory provides Canada with renewed leverage in the standings. The data shows a clear trend: single critical ends and high-execution shots continue to determine tight contests at this level. Homan’s win preserves her squad’s path to the knockout rounds and increases pressure on other contenders vying for the same slots.
What comes next for both Canadian teams
Who: Canada’s men’s and women’s curling teams. What: remaining round-robin games that will decide seeding and semifinal paths. Where: Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium for the final stages.
The men’s squad has already secured a semifinal berth but must still complete two round-robin matches that will determine final seeding. The Jacobs rink is scheduled to play host Italy, skipped by Joel Retornaz, and Norway, skipped by Magnus Ramsfjell. Seeding will affect semifinal match-ups and each team’s potential path to the podium.
On the women’s side, Rachel Homan’s team remains in contention for a top-four finish with two round-robin games to play. Canada will face Italy’s Stefania Constantini and South Korea’s Eunji Gim. A three-game winning streak has improved momentum, but with few draws remaining every shot and strategic call carries greater consequence.
From a strategic perspective, both teams must balance risk and control to secure favorable semifinal pairings. The data shows a clear trend: late-stage seeding often dictates semifinal matchups and medal opportunities in short tournaments. Coaches and players will prioritize match management and lineup decisions in the remaining draws.
Coaches and players will prioritize match management and lineup decisions in the remaining draws.
Both victories underscore how small tactical choices and precise execution under pressure can determine Olympic curling outcomes. The wins at Cortina d’Ampezzo have strengthened Canada’s position in the tournament. Established leaders Brad Jacobs and Rachel Homan delivered timely performances that improved their teams’ seeding prospects.
From a strategic perspective, teams that control hammer placement and execute high-percentage takeouts gain measurable advantages in late ends. Coaches are expected to focus on ice-reading, endgame strategy, and player rotation to preserve form across consecutive draws.
For live results, team rosters, and updated standings, follow official Olympic coverage and broadcasters carrying the Milano-Cortina events.