CORTINA, ITALY — A decisive win over the Republic of Korea kept the United States in the semifinal race midway through the final round-robin stretch, but losses to Norway and Canada over the next two sessions ended that push at the Milano Cortina Paralympic Games.

The Americans defeated Korea 9–2 on Wednesday morning but were eliminated from semifinal contention after falling 7–4 to Norway on Thursday afternoon. Canada handed the United States a 7–3 loss Thursday evening in the final round-robin session.

Early Control Against Korea

The Americans controlled their Wednesday morning session against Korea early.

“We came out firing on all cylinders,” Dan Rose said. “Curling is one of those sports where when you’re hot, you’re hot, and that was one of those games.”

Korea opened with a single point in the first end, but the United States responded with three in the second to take the lead. The Americans added another point in the third and then scored three more in the fourth to extend the advantage to 7–1.

After Korea scored once in the fifth, the Americans added singles in the sixth and seventh ends before Korea conceded with the United States leading 9–2.

“Our communication and our shot making were very good today,” third thrower Matthew Thums said. “Today we were spot on. It was all execution today.”

Norway Builds Early Lead

In Thursday’s afternoon session, Norway controlled the scoreboard early by taking the first two ends, building a 3–0 lead, and dashed American semifinal hopes with a 7–4 win.

The United States answered with a single in the third, but Norway responded with another point in the fourth to move ahead 4–1 at the halfway break.

The Americans chipped away with singles in the fifth, sixth and seventh ends to pull even at 4–4 heading into the final end. With the hammer, Norway scored three in the eighth to win 7–4.

Canada Closes Out Round Robin

Playing for pride against unbeaten Canada, the Americans quickly grabbed momentum with a two-point end.

Canada answered with two in the second and one in the third and fourth ends, taking a 4–2 lead into the half.

The United States closed the gap with a single in the fifth, but Canada answered with a point in the sixth and steals in the seventh and eighth ends to extend the lead to 7–3.

With the hammer in the eighth, the Americans faced an unlikely comeback. Their sheet talk remained confident, but a Canadian takeout with the 12th stone left the U.S. with no option but to concede.

Win or lose, American fans made themselves heard in the recently renovated Cortina Curling Stadium throughout the round robin sessions.

“Our fans were bringing the energy,” O’Neill said after one of the round-robin sessions.

The United States finished the round robin with a 3–6 record and ninth place in the standings. Canada completed the preliminary round undefeated at 9–0, followed by China at 8–1 to advance into the semis. Sweden and Korea rounded out the semifinal teams.