https://www.usacurling.org/dailypebble/team-shuster-to-defend-gold-medals

By Jacob Thimjon, UNO

OMAHA, Neb. — Team Shuster secured the right to defend their gold medals from 2018 after defeating Team Dropkin, 5-4, in Game Three of the men’s finals at the U.S. Olympic Trials for Curling.

“It’s definitely going to be special to get a chance to go back and try to see what we can do and see if we can’t get another gold,” said skip John Shuster.  

Team Shuster and Team Dropkin began the game scoreless through the first two ends. Team Shuster took an early 1-0 lead in the third end, with Team Dropkin responding with a point of their own in the fourth.

Team Shuster built momentum as they scored two points in the sixth after the final throw from Dropkin fell short of the house and prevented Team Dropkin from scoring in the sixth.

Dropkin said his team’s strategy was to force Team Shuster into a draw and try to steal one or two points in the sixth end.  

“When we had the opportunities to capitalize on some misses, we didn’t always execute,” Dropkin said. “That’s what makes the difference between winning games and losing games.”  

Dropkin said he believes the stage of the finals at the Olympic trials is a chance for growth for his team.

“It’s really good for the journey, we’re a young team, and we’re going to be back,” Dropkin said.

Team Dropkin scored two points in the ninth end and a point in the tenth, but single points by Team Shuster in ends seven and eight clinched the victory for the defending Olympic gold medalists.  

Shuster said there would be a bigger target on Team Shuster heading into the upcoming Olympics, but he believes the battle put forth in these finals will assist them in Beijing. 

“If we can come out and play with that type of game planning and that type of intensity, I really think we’re going to do well,” Shuster said.