RED DEER, Alta. — In a week full of uncertainty, B.C.’s Kelly Scott hasn’t lost her focus at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
Quite the opposite, in fact, as the two-time Canadian women’s curling champion will head into the final day of the round-robin schedule at the Enmax Centrium in position for a playoff spot, despite not knowing when she went to bed Wednesday whether one of her longtime teammates will be available to play.
Third Sasha Carter, who has struggled all week with the same stomach illness that has felled various players in the Scotties, was taken to a local hospital Wednesday morning to receive an IV to restore fluids in her body, and sat out both B.C. games.
But without her, Scott, second Dailene Sivertson, lead Jacquie Armstrong and alternate Sherry Fraser still managed to salvage a split of their Wednesday games to stay tied for second with Team Canada’s Amber Holland and Quebec’s Marie-France Larouche with a 6-3 record, behind only Jennifer Jones of Manitoba (7-2).
“It’s funny; it’s tough and it could be draining, but I don’t think we’re allowing it to take a toll on us and feel like pressure on our shoulders,” said Scott, 34, who also was feeling effects of the stomach bug earlier in the week. “If anything, it takes the pressure off. Everything is getting thrown at us this week, and we’re just trying to bounce with it all, and in a way, that just frees us up to go play.”
B.C. opened the day by pushing Manitoba to the limit, only to lose 8-6 in an extra end when Jones stole two after Scott’s runback double takeout for the win just overcurled to cap a well-curled game.
Later though, the Lotuslanders curled 88 per cent as a team to beat Kerry Galusha of the Territories 11-6, outscoring the northerners 9-1 over the final five ends of the game.
“A good day,” said Scott. “We had a great game this morning, and this game, we were behind for a few ends there, but the girls played great to set up so many ends there. It was a good game for us.
“Today was the first day I felt like we played really solid games, not sloppy games, so I’m very pleased with today.”
After getting her treatment at the hospital, Carter was able to eat something later in the day, and there’s a good bet she’ll be available to play Thursday.
“She feels like she’s close to normal and that she can play (Thursday),” said Scott. “Her position is that the team was on a roll without her today and she doesn’t want to step in and ruin the flow, but all of us, Sherry included, feel that if she’s ready to play, she’s stepping in.”
Manitoba would sweep its Wednesday games, taking just seven ends to beat the Territories 8-2 to improve to 7-2 and clinch at least a tiebreaker berth.
Team Canada, meanwhile, had lineup issues of its own again, as second Tammy Schneider, who had a leg problem after a fall earlier in the round robin, was felled by the spreading stomach bug; she played just two ends in Canada’s loss to Nova Scotia in the morning and was replaced by Jolene Campbell in Canada’s 10-4 win over P.E.I.’s Kim Dolan. Schneider will be assessed Thursday morning.
Still on the horizon for the champs — a showdown Thursday night to finish off the round robin with their fellow Saskatchewan entry, skipped by Michelle Englot (4-5).
“It’s going to be interesting,” Holland said with a smile. “It’s going to be good. It’s going to be fun. We haven’t played Michelle yet this year, so this will be the first time. And what a great time to step on the ice against her — at the Scotties.”
Quebec improved its playoff hopes with a pair of impressive wins, scoring two in the 10th end for a 6-5 win over Alberta’s Heather Nedohin, and then roughing up Saskatchewan 10-6, bringing back memories of Larouche’s performance here eight years ago when she made it to the final before losing to Colleen Jones.
“I think we played very, very well (on Wednesday) and that’s what we want at this time,” said Larouche, who faces tests Thursday against Ontario’s Tracy Horgan and Manitoba. “I feel so confident with myself and my teammates.”
Larouche didn’t need to throw her last rock after Nedohin, 5-4 and tied with New Brunswick’s Rebecca Atkinson, was wide on her raise attempt in the 10th end to set up a potential winning steal.
“That’s what we expected, that it would be a last-rock game, and unfortunately, I didn’t make my last one,” said Nedohin, who faces must-win games Thursday against Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.
“That’s what we planned for,” added Alberta third Beth Iskiw. “We knew it was going to be a struggle in the middle of the week. But we’re ready to slug it out.”
Calgary Herald
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