SOCHI, Russia -- Canada's Matt Dunstone remained in striking distance of first place in the 2013 world junior curling championships men's standings with a 7-3 win over the United States on Tuesday.

Canada improved to 5-2 with the win, tied for second place in the standings with Norway, Russia, and Sweden and within reach of leader Kyle Smith of Scotland (5-1).

In women's action, Canada's Corryn Brown also beat her continental rival, rebounding from a 4-3 loss to Switzerland with a 10-4 rout over the U.S.

"It's a pride thing," Dunstone said. "It was good to see Canada come out on top of these North American battles."

After American skip Korey Dropkin stole a point in the first end, Dunstone's Winnipeg team responded with a deuce in the third and took a 5-2 lead after five ends.

"We had a really strong fifth end and I think we made eight straight shots there," Dunstone said. "After that we kind of took the momentum from them. We only had control after we got that deuce in nine. A two-point lead is nothing on the quality of teams here. I felt most comfortable once we got that four-point lead in the last end."

Brown's rink from Kamloops, B.C., came up just short against Switzerland's Michelle Gribi (2-4). Trailing 4-2 in the 10th, Brown attempted a double to lie two and force the extra end, but just missed, taking only one for the 4-3 loss.

Brown and her team rebounded against American skip Miranda Solem, stealing two ends on the way to a 10-4 win.

"We definitely played a little more aggressive, put a little more rocks in play, and watched how things ended up," said Brown, who now sits at 2-5 and will not make the playoffs.

Brown has the day off today, while Dunstone's rink faces Norway.

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition March 6, 2013 C6