How Tabitha Peterson’s clutch hammer shot saved USA from choking away curling semifinal spot

The United States is heading to the women's curling playoff.

Team USA entered Thursday's matchup in a win-and-in situation against Switzerland. A loss would have forced the U.S. to cross its collective fingers and rely on tiebreakers to advance.

In the end, however, there was no need for luck.

The final group-stage game saw the United States up late, holding a 6-3 lead heading into the 10th end. All Team USA needed to do was avoid giving up three points to secure the win. Then Switzerland scored three to force an extra end.

The Swiss dominated the extra end, and by the time the U.S. hammer was set for the final throw of the match, Switzerland had five stones in the house compared to only one for the Americans, and the Swiss stone was closer.

Tabitha Peterson was tasked with Team USA's final chance. Despite numerous stones blocking the button, she delivered a near-perfect shot that helped the U.S. score the decisive point to win and advance to the semifinals.

Here is more on Peterson's final shot that sent the United States into the women's curling semifinals.

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Tabitha Peterson's hammer shot to save USA

At the time of Peterson's shot, Switzerland had five stones in the house, while the USA had only one. Two of Switzerland's stones were closer than the United States', so Peterson's only chance was to get her stone to land closer to the button than Switzerland's was. 

With the middle of the house clogged, she curled the stone right to left, and it passed right over the button. A Swiss curler tried to sweep it off the button as best she could, but it still rested closer to the button than the Swiss, giving the United States the win. 

HOW CAN YOU NOT BE ENTERTAINED?! TEAM USA CURLING ADVANCES TO THE SEMIFINALS! 🤯 #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/jAPqZWaXtp

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USA vs. Switzerland score

USA went into the 10th end up three on Switzerland, but blew the lead. Switzerland used the all-important hammer to pick up three crucial points to force an extra end. The hammer, though, then moved to the United States. 

Team USA needed just one point in extras to win, and were down three stones with one final shot. Peterson's final shot was the equivalent to a buzzer-beater three and she nailed it to earn the 7-6 victory. 

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Olympic women's curling playoff seeding

Here is the playoff standings. 

1. Sweden

2. United States

3. Switzerland

4. Canada

No. 1 Sweden will face No. 1 Canada in one semifinal matchup, while the second-seeded United States will meet No. 3 Switzerland in a rematch. The winners will move on to the gold medal game on Sunday, while the losers meet in the bronze medal game on Saturday.