American Steve Emt competes in Sunday's mixed doubles match against Italy, which the U.S. won. Maja Hitij/Getty Images hide caption

Maja Hitij/Getty Images

The U.S. fell just short of its first Paralympics wheelchair curling medal on Wednesday, when Steve Emt and Laura Dwyer finished a single point behind Latvia — after a tie forced an extra round — in the bronze medal match of the first-ever mixed doubles event.

The American duo had notched three dramatic, back-to-back wins in the round-robin tournament to reach the semifinals, marking the first time the U.S. qualified for a medal round in wheelchair curling since the 2010 Paralympics.

The outcome wasn't what they had hoped for. But it's their teamwork and attitude on ice that have really set them apart. Emt, in particular, has charmed the internet, with his booming baritone delivering a steady stream of encouragement to his doubles partner and demands to the granite stones they're sliding ("curl!" "sit!").

"I have three older siblings.…