‘Just ridiculous’: Still furious over Olympics, Brad Jacobs faces Oskar Eriksson in 1st rematch at Rock League

For the first time since the Olympics, Brad Jacobs opposed Oskar Eriksson in a curling match on Monday.

Competing on sheets next to each other in the inaugural Rock League Draw at Toronto’s Mattamy Athletic Centre, Jacobs and Eriksson — rivals dating back to the hog-line controversy in Cortina — did not interact as their 10-person teams went head-to-head.

“I have nothing good to say about Oscar Eriksson or that entire team or the Swedish curling federation right now. So I’m not going to say anything at all,” Canada’s Jacobs said moments after his Shield Curling Club beat Eriksson’s Alpine Curling Club 2-1.

The beef began at the Olympics, when Sweden’s Eriksson accused Jacobs third Marc Kennedy of touching the rock beyond the hog line.

It led to a heated argument between Kennedy and Eriksson. The Canadians have stoutly denied cheating ever since, while accusing the Swedes of illegally setting up a hog-line camera. Jacobs and the Canadians went on to win the gold medal.

On Sunday, CBC released video from Swedish TV in which Eriksson demonstrates double-touching in an instructional offering. He then mentions the Canadians, and says “evil unfortunately wins sometimes.”

Jacobs, the 40-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., said it’s clear that “this whole thing is far from over.”

“There was never any infractions of any kind. There was zero cheating at the Olympics. And this is all just ridiculous,” he said.

Eriksson, meanwhile, stood by his story — though his tone was much lighter than Jacobs’.

“We called out that we thought they were doing something wrong. I think everyone’s seen videos and photos and everyone can think what they want. For me, it’s quite clear and obvious what was happening,” Eriksson said.

One twist at Rock League: the new professional curling outfit is testing hog-line cameras Monday through Friday, with full implementation potentially set for the weekend.

Teams would have one challenge per game, and only lose it if they were wrong.

“The cameras here are gonna help that if anyone is doing the same thing. Then I don’t think they can deny it,” Eriksson said. “But I don’t want to take away anything [Team Jacobs] has done in the past. They’re a great team, they’re great pro players even if they’re not touching the rock. And they’ve won a lot of events before the Olympics as well.”

The hog-line cameras are just one of a number of Rock League changes, also including seven-end four-person games, potential two-point rocks in the final end, less thinking time and in-game subs.

Jacobs said he’s focused on all the rest.

“Hog-line cameras? Not even a thought for me. There’s so many different rule changes that I don’t go over the hog line. I don’t think I’ve ever had a hog-line violation. I know maybe some players are a little bit more concerned about that than others. I don’t think we necessarily need hog-line cameras in curling,” Jacobs said.

He did admit, however, that the controversy could help the sport in general.

“That’s the blessing in disguise. But still, it was really hard on us and it was really hard on Sweden. They did that to themselves. Reputations were affected for really no good reason. And you know, it’s quite hurtful,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs and Eriksson won’t line up against each other again until potential matchups in Saturday’s mixed fours — when they could even share a sheet — or Sunday’s playoffs.

It is clear they won’t be sharing a beer before that.

“I won’t be interacting with him,” Jacobs said, “period.”