After the epic semi-final win over Switzerland on Thursday, Mouat referred to it as “our gold medal”. Presumptuous? Maybe. However that perception was based in reality.
His rink have gained two World Championships and a few European crowns in addition to a document 12 Grand Slam titles for the reason that final Video games.
Moreover, they boast a wonderful document towards the Canadians and beat them in final yr’s world semis. Jacobs’ time-served crew did win the round-robin assembly earlier within the week however that was a uncommon reverse.
In that contest, GB led after six ends earlier than slipping to the 9-5 defeat that left them needing favours from different groups.
It was the identical this time, a superb Mouat double-takeout edging GB 5-4 forward at that stage after a cagey opening half throughout which he and 2014 gold-medallist Brad Jacobs traded factors.
Canada – who’ve had a tumultuous time of it themselves right here amid dishonest claims – drew stage after seven, however Britain had the benefit of the hammer in two of the ultimate three ends.
They may not benefit from that although.
Only one within the eighth for GB gave Canada the sniff of a possibility and that snatched it ruthlessly, capitalising on some slack stones within the ninth to guide 8-6 going into the final.
Mouat had the hammer however he wanted two to pressure an additional finish. Might the person thought-about the very best shot-maker in world provide you with the products within the greatest second?
He could not. And for the second Olympics in a row, the GB rink had been left with a medal that they didn’t need.
“We wished to win it for one another,” an emotional Hardie informed BBC Sport.
“The ache from 4 years in the past was a lot that we wished to offer it one other go. We gave ourselves an opportunity however sadly we have not received there once more.”
