Music: {allcanada} CANADIANS PAULSEN, MOSKOWY VICTORIOUS AT CURLING WORLD JR.'S

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

{allcanada} CANADIANS PAULSEN, MOSKOWY VICTORIOUS AT CURLING WORLD JR.'S

PERTH -- Canada's Trish Paulsen defeated Russia 6-3 on Wednesday to knock the Russians from the ranks of the unbeaten at the world junior curling championships.

Paulsen's Saskatoon rink improved to 3-4 to move into a tie for fifth place with Japan, Norway and Switzerland. Russia (6-1) dropped into a first-place tie with Scotland.

Canada must beat the fourth-place Americans (5-2) and Scots on Thursday to remain in playoff contention.

Paulsen took control of her match against Russia with two in the eighth and a steal of two in the ninth for a 6-2 advantage.

"We were fighting for our lives out there . . . it was that kind of game," Paulsen said. "When we have a goal in mind and when we have to win, we play great. We all went out there knowing we had to win and we put some ends together.

"We showed that we're able to play here so if we keep playing like that we've still got a chance for the playoffs. We're looking forward to playing USA (on Thursday). We haven't seen them play yet, but we'll just have to get out there. I just know I have to win, so it's pretty straightforward.

Regina's Braeden Moskowy earned two wins in the men's draw to move into third spot overall. He defeated Finland 11-7 in the early draw before downing China 7-2.

After losing his first three matches, Moskowy has now won five straight and is tied for third with Norway and Scotland at 5-3.

"We're getting close now, one more and then we're in the dance," Moskowy said. "We're not changing anything, we're eating the same food, going to the same restaurants, doing all that stuff and just playing well mainly.

"We're believing in the ice, we're trusting in the ice, and we know exactly what's going on and that's the biggest thing. Like I've said we've finally gotten on to it."

Moskowy finishes the round-robin Thursday against the Czech Republic (1-8).