I think a high level athlete would always prefer to have to make a tough shot instead of allowing the other team to win because of one. Better to have your destiny in your own hands.
Now of course, there are levels of ''hard''. If you are making the shot nearly impossible on the other team, then maybe that's a thought. But I guess they felt the Swedes would have at least a small chance of making the shot with an extra guard up.
Going in, they just needed to keep the ice clear, which the second and third did not do, missing the double take out many times and even leaving one of their own rocks in. That's where the biggest mistake was made in the 11th end.
However, the biggest mistake was made with the last shot in the 10th. There were two ways Bernard could have made sure it ended better. One, not throwing the rock so hard, so that if it did jam the Swedish rock, hers would not roll right through and would count anyway.
The other way would have just to been more accurate, and make the take out without the jam. Regardless, if she throws it a little softer, this might not have mattered anyway.
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