Englot hurt by her missed chances
RED DEER, Alta. — Michelle Englot stumbled after a strong start at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
The Team Saskatchewan skip opened the Canadian women’s curling championship on the weekend with two clutch victories. She then fell to 2-2 after an 8-7 loss to Prince Edward Island’s Kim Dolan on Monday. On Sunday afternoon, Englot was beaten 10-8 by B.C.’S Kelly Scott.
Englot was in a four-way tie for fourth heading into Monday’s late draw against Ontario’s Tracy Horgan, who was also 2-2. Results of the late match were not available at press time.
Englot appeared to have control of her match with Dolan after hitting for four in the seventh end. Dolan came back with one in the eighth, stole two in the ninth and earned the win after stealing one in the 10th end. Dolan was among three teams tied for eighth with 2-3 records.
Englot had a chance to save the game against Dolan in the 10th end. Englot needed to connect on a thin double to pick up the win. Englot removed one stone, but wasn’t able to nudge the winning rock out of the way.
“They made a lot of great shots and that’s what happens when you’re down in a game,” Englot said after Monday’s early action at the Enmax Centrium. “You put a lot of rocks in play and they definitely put the pressure on us. We made a mistake in nine by not peeling the guard and there were a few spots here and there. It’s frustrating to have total control and then give it up.”
Englot, a seven-time Saskatchewan women’s champion, is making her first appearance at the Scotties since 2008. She couldn’t remember losing a game in which she scored four.
“It does happen,” said Englot, who is curling with her Tartan team of Lana Vey, Roberta Materi and Sarah Slywka. “We know that it’s a long week. We’ll come back and battle hard.”
The game was similar to the loss to Scott in that Englot could have grabbed control in the ninth end had she hit and stayed for two. Englot’s shooter rolled out and she settled for an 8-7 lead over B.C. heading home. Scott scored three in the 10th end to beat Englot 10-8.
In her earlier games, Englot gained from last-shot misses by Nova Scotia’s Heather Smith-dacey and Newfoundland and Labrador’s Heather Strong. Englot beat Smith-dacey 7-5 on Saturday and Strong 10-7 in Sunday’s morning draw.
Englot scored four in the ninth end to grab control in the win over Strong. Englot picked up the win after Strong missed on a hit for two that could have forced an extra end.
“It goes both ways,” Englot said when asked about the turn of events over her opening four games at the Scotties.
Englot has a province with her. Team Canada, which is represented by Amber Holland of the Kronau Curling Club, has a large group of backers at the Scotties, with supporters out in their red and white outfits and ringing cowbells. But Englot’s fans are dressed in the traditional Saskatchewan green and are just as noisy and supportive as those fans backing Holland.
“It’s tons of fun having all of the fans here,” Materi said. “Not only do we have our own families, there are lots of Saskatchewan fans out there too. It’s added support and it keeps us going. It’s just great being out there.”
Materi is also making her first Scotties appearance since 2008 when Englot was 5-6 at the Canadian women’s championship in Regina. Materi is also enjoying the experience.
“The last four years have felt like a long time,” Materi said. “It’s a tough battle in playdowns every year and we really wanted another crack at this. To be here means a lot.”