Miracle on Ice for U.S. curlers By TERRY JONES, QMI Agency

VANCOUVER — Miracles On Ice!

Al Michaels wasn’t here to call it. But it happened here Friday. Do you believe in miracles? The Americans beat the Russians.

O.K., so it happened in women’s curling. But the USA hadn’t won a game in either men’s or women’s play in curling until the morning draw Friday when Debbie McCormick scored a 6-4 victory over Russia’s Ekaterina Galkina.

And then the men beat Thomas Dufour of France 4-3.

The Americans went into the day with both men’s and women’s team yet to score their first win in a year in which USA Curling has had huge pre-Olympic exposure with visits to the late night talk shows and an entire Simpson’s episode dedicated to curling.

“Before this match, it was getting harder and harder to handle,” said McCormick.

The men’s problems had a double-down effect.

“We try not to place any extra pressure on ourselves because of the troubles they’re having. It’s very sad to see them struggle like this.”

The men benched skip John Shuster after going 0-4, with Chris Plys at third and skip.

“It’s such a relief,” said last-rock thrower Jason Smith. “It was great top get the monkey off our back and finally get our first win.”

terry.jones@sunmedia.ca