VANCOUVER, B.C. - It was billed as an Olympic curling gold medal preview - it turned into a rout.
Canada's Cheryl Bernard clinched a playoff spot at the Vancouver Olympics today by cruising to a 6-2 victory over reigning gold medallist Anette Norberg of Sweden.
The two rinks entered the game with identical 5-1 round robin-records, good for first overall, but Bernard seized control of the match by scoring two with her hammer in the second end.
Norberg's rink struggled throughout the contest and the skip missed routine draws in both the third and fourth ends, allowing Canada to steal twice and take a 4-0 lead.
Norberg had a chance to cut into Canada's lead in the eighth frame but her takeout attempt wrecked on a guard, giving Canada a 6-1 edge and sealing Sweden's fate.
The Canadian women will return to the ice Tuesday morning for a date with Britain and with a win will clinch the tournament's No. 1 seed.
