Canada Falls to Scotland in Extra End at World Mixed Doubles Curling, Secures Olympic Berth
by Jaxon Winters
FREDERICTON, N.B.: There are losses that sting, and then there are losses that gnaw at you long after the ice has melted. Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant will know that feeling well after Thursday’s round-robin finale at the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship. In a contest that swung on the smallest of margins, Canada watched a sure win slip away as Scotland’s Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds snatched an 8–7 victory in an extra end, leaving the home crowd at Willie O’Ree Place in stunned silence.
For most of the afternoon, Peterman and Gallant looked every bit the medal contenders they are. After a week of sharp shot-making and cool nerves, they were poised to lock up second place in Group A and enter the playoffs with momentum. But curling, like all great sports, is a game of inches and nerves, and on this day, the Scots had just a little more of both when it mattered.
Canada entered the eighth end in control, but Mouat and Dodds- never ones to shrink from the moment- put together a brilliant end, scoring three to tie the game and force an extra. The pressure ratcheted up, and with the game on the line, it was Scotland who found the crucial steal. Peterman’s final draw came up agonizingly short, and that was that. The Scots celebrated, while the Canadians were left to ponder what might have been.
Still, there’s no time for self-pity in a tournament of this calibre. Both teams finished the round robin at 7–2, but Scotland’s head-to-head win handed them the tiebreaker and second place. Italy, perfect at 9–0, had already secured the group’s top spot and a direct berth in the semifinals. For Peterman and Gallant, the path to gold just got a little steeper-they’ll face Estonia in the qualification round on Friday morning, with everything on the line.
But let’s not lose the plot: the main mission remains intact. With their performance this week, Peterman and Gallant have already secured Canada’s spot in the 2026 Winter Olympics mixed doubles event. That’s no small feat, and it’s a testament to their consistency and grit. The real prize, though, is still out there, waiting on the weekend ice.
As the Fredericton crowd filed out, some no doubt grumbling about missed chances, the bigger picture remained clear. This Canadian duo has the pedigree and poise to rebound, and in a sport where fortunes can change with a single stone, they’ll have every chance to write a happier ending yet. For now, they’ll have to wear this one- and use it as fuel for the battles to come.
Final score: Scotland 8, Canada 7 (extra end)
Series: Canada finishes round robin 7–2, third in Group A, advances to qualification round.
As of this game
Key Play Stats
Canada
Jocelyn Peterman & Brett Gallant: 7 points scored, 8 allowed
Forced extra end, gave up 3 in the eighth, and a steal in the ninth
Secured an Olympic berth for Canada in 2026 Winter Games
Scotland
Bruce Mouat & Jennifer Dodds: 8 points scored, 7 allowed
Scored 3 in the eighth end to tie, stole 1 in the extra end for the win
Team Stats (Up to and including this game)
Canada: 7 wins, 2 losses (3rd in Group A)
Scotland: 7 wins, 2 losses (2nd in Group A, wins tiebreaker)
Italy: 9 wins, 0 losses (1st in Group A)
Current Series Standings
Italy: 9–0 (Group A, advances to semifinals)
Scotland: 7–2 (Group A, advances to qualification round)
Canada: 7–2 (Group A, advances to qualification round)
Australia: 8–1 (Group B, advances to semifinals)
Estonia: 7–2 (Group B, advances to qualification round)