Barker advances to ‘C’ final at Scotties
Penny Barker was the last rink with Moose Jaw connections standing at the Viterra Scotties provincial women’s curling championship.
Barker and her rink of third Deanna Doig, second Christie Gamble and lead Danielle Sicinski picked up a 9-8 win over Swift Current’s Kristen Streifel on Sunday night to advance to the ‘C’ side final.
The win kept the 2017 provincial champion in the hunt for a second title and the opportunity to represent Saskatchewan on home ice at the 2020 Scotties Tournament of Hearts at Mosaic Place Feb. 14-23.
The early stages of the contest were back and forth, with the two teams tied 3-3 through five ends. Things didn’t change after the break, even though Barker looked to take control of the contest with a three-spot in the sixth. Streifel got two of those back the next end, and after Barker put up a deuce in the eighth to again take the lead, Streifel was able to get her three to tie the game 8-8 heading into the final end.
Barker made the most of the hammer in the 10th, though, and left herself with an open hit-and-stick in the four foot for the win.
Barker faced Regina’s Rae Williamson -- who defeated Michelle Englot 10-6 in the other semifinal – in the afternoon draw Monday, with a spot in the Page playoff 3-4 game on the line. Results were unavailable as of press time.
The news wasn’t as good for former Moose Jaw competitor Amber Holland, who took the ice alongside third Cindy Ricci, second Laura Strong and lead Deb Lozinski. Playing in the other ‘C’ semifinal Holland roared out to a 4-0 lead against Regina’s Mandy Selzer but was unable to keep the momentum going and dropped a 7-6 decision. Selzer faced Saskatoon’s Sherry Anderson in the other ‘C’ qualifier after Anderson dropped a 9-8 decision to clubmate Ashley Howard in the ‘B’ final Sunday evening.
Regina’s Shalon Fleming, with Moose Jaw’s Candace Newkirk at third, was eliminated after a 12-1 loss to Holland in their first ‘C’ event contest.
Check Curlsask.ca for more information, including full results of each draw. As this edition went to Press Monday, unfortunately all of the final results will not be available until next issue.