Team Aomori posted its second straight victory over Team Nagano, who had won through the first round, and triumphed 4-0 overall to make its second straight Winter Games.

Team Aomori, which gained popularity across Japan with a valiant run at the 2006 Turin Olympics, had been given a two-game advantage in the playoff after claiming its fourth consecutive title at the national championships.

After trailing 5-2 in the first game, Team Aomori came back to win 7-6 in overtime and prevailed 12-3 in the second after Team Nagano conceded after eight ends.