One continent, two women’s pro hockey leagues. But is that about to change?
JONES RINK EXTENDS THE RED MAPLE LEAF’S WINNING STREAK TO 23 GAMES
Twenty-three and counting. Surviving a stretch of three consecutive draws against the three highest- ranked opponents, skip Jennifer Jones and her team has a still- unblemished 10- 0 record that, along with a South Korea loss on a hog- line violation Thursday, has secured Canada a Top 2 spot and semifinal berth in the World Women’s Curling Championship.
Combined with Rachel Homan’s 11- 0 round- robin record that preceded two playoff victories in Beijing last year, the winning streak at this event stands at 23 after a 10- 6 triumph over Italy on Thursday night.
If you’re not duly impressed, you should be.
“You know what, it’s not easy at the women’s world curling championship,” national team coach Elaine Dagg- Jackson said Thursday at Memorial Gardens. “It’s not just recently that the international teams have gotten better. People say, ‘ Oh my gosh, they’ve gotten so good so fast’ but no, they’ve been coming on for many years and we know that, we’ve been preparing for that in training, long before we get here.
“I think ( the streak) is a result of working really hard, but it’s certainly not something we expect.”
Especially with a stretch in this year’s schedule that included consecutive games against the Olympic silver and gold medallists (South Korea and Sweden) on Wednesday afternoon and night and followed by sleep, breakfast and a morning matchup with a strong Russia squad.
Jones needed a draw to the four- foot with the last rock of the game for an 8-7 victory over Victoria Moiseeva’s team in the finale of back-to-back-to-backs that represented a mental grind for the Canadians.
“We’re kind of used to it, but sometimes it can be a little bit draining,” said second Jill Officer. “We were certainly mindful of it, coming into it.”
Canada was not at its best against the Russians, especially with its draw weight early — a problem that has plagued the team throughout the week.
“The ice has changed a couple of times already this week and we’re trying to figure it out each time, and figure out the speed,” said Officer. “We’re kind of figuring it out enough that we’re pulling out the wins.” Dagg-Jackson is not concerned. “Every game hasn’t been perfect so far, but it’s just part of the ups and downs of a week of 12- round robin curling games,” she said. “I think it’s really good that Team Canada gets challenged. We don’t want to be walking through this thing. We had three really great teams in a row, and there was no expectations to come out with three wins in those games. That’s just a bonus. That’s a plus. And it makes the future games a little bit easier.
“When it comes down to it, Team Canada is never worried until the last rock of the last end, if they don’t have a shot. Like you’re always playing to be tied up coming home with hammer, and that was the case. There were some moments where you kind of thought, are they going to get out of this? Well, they did.”
Maintaining the winning streak was never something that was discussed or mattered to Jones’ team. The goal was to clinch a playoff spot, which was officially accomplished Thursday morning.
Avoiding a “qualification game” on Saturday morning by finishing in a top- two spot was, of course, also strongly desired.
“There’s no big deal if we lose a game along the way here. It’s really nothing,” said Dagg- Jackson. “I think a lot of people are watching stats and trends and so on, but I can tell you that the feeling on Team Canada right now is very positive and very confident. And with full knowledge and embracing the fact that it’s okay to have a little bit of variants in your performance. Come playoffs, that’s when you really need to turn up the heat.”
Canada is preparing to do just that. After Wednesday’s games, Jones and Dawn McEwen took to the practice ice, when generally just the coaching staff and fifth player would be out matching rocks.
“Dawn wanted to throw a few rocks just to make sure Jen was giving her that ‘ Yeah, it looks good,’ and that’s what happened,” said Dagg- Jackson. “Dawn threw maybe 12 really great throws, just wanted to throw some nice clean shots, and walked away with more confidence.”
The pursuit of perfection is ongoing for Jones.
“She inspires that within her athletes that play for her as well,” said Dagg- Jackson. “Dawn is the same. Dawn knows she wants to do it for herself, so she can play her best. She wants to play her best for her team and for Jen.”