PINEROLO, Italy -- Both Canadian curling rinks are one win away from clinching a playoff berth on the final day of round-robin play.
Russ Howard celebrated his 50th birthday by helping Brad Gushue's Canadian rink improve to 5-3 with a 9-1 win over New Zealand.
"If you had told me I would get this for my 50th -- to be here on a curling sheet for Canada at the Winter Olympics ... simply fantastic," said Howard. "Now comes the U.S. Tough team."
Holding a 3-1 lead after five ends, Gushue scored three in the sixth and stole three more in the seventh.
A win over Pete Fenson of Bemidji, Minn., would solidify fourth, while a loss would put Canada into a tiebreaker with two teams, Norway and the winner of the Italy/Switzerland game.
Finland's Markku Uusipaavalniemi (7-2) tops the men's standings, followed by Fenson (6-2) and David Murdoch of Britain (6-3).
With lead Christine Keshen the latest member of Shannon Kleibrink's Calgary rink to be battling food poisoning, the women made short work of host Italy 11-4 to improve to 5-3.
A win today against Denmark would give the team at least a fourth-place finish and a spot in medal play. A Great Britain (4-4) loss would also ensure the Canadians would advance.
"With our backs against the wall, we're in familiar territory," said second Glenys Bakker, alluding to the team's victory at Olympic trials in December after a 1-3 start. "We play better when we know we can't afford to lose."
World champion Anette Norberg of Sweden (7-1) led the women's field ahead of Switzerland's Mirjam Ott (6-2) and Norway's Dordi Nordby (5-2). Nordby has two matches remaining.
Defending champion Rhona Martin of Britain was still in the hunt at 5-4.