Calgary skips Carey, Koe stay in high gear at Canadian Olympic curling trials

OTTAWA — Brad Jacobs stood by the hack with his arms crossed. Jennifer Jones was sporting a nonplussed look at the other end of the rink. Both reigning Olympic champions took it on the chin Wednesday at the Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings.

Jacobs’ playoff chances decreased after he dropped a 9-3 decision to Edmonton’s Brendan Bottcher. Two sheets over, Chelsea Carey posted a 7-5 win over Jones to hand the Winnipeg skip her first loss of round-robin play.

“I’d rather it happen now than later on,” Jones said. “It’s just a matter of whether we can rebound from it. We’re made of something a little bit more than just crumbling after one loss.”

Jacobs, from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., admitted he was shocked to be 2-3 and in must-win mode the rest of the way.

“I would say that there was a lot of really well-thrown rocks by our team and a huge lack of results,” he said. “It’s hard to put your finger on why.”

Carey and Kevin Koe — both Calgary skips — were the only unbeaten teams after 13 draws at Canadian Tire Centre.

Carey improved to 5-0 while Koe moved to 6-0 after a comfortable 6-4 win over Toronto’s John Epping. Koe locked up a playoff spot with the victory.

“That’s when the tough games start,” said lead Ben Hebert. “We’d like to finish the roundrobin strong though.”

Winnipeg’s Mike McEwen was tied for second place at 4-2 with Brad Gushue of St. John’s, N.L., Gushue beat McEwen 8-3 in the evening draw.