Manitoba’s Kaitlyn Lawes has been dominant at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, securing a playoff spot as the first team in the Canadian women’s curling championship. Lawes, with a flawless 6-0 record, clinched her spot after defeating Yukon’s Bayly Scoffin 9-4. Her team from Winnipeg has been outscoring opponents 58-24, showing a strong upward trend, according to coach Marcel Rocque.
In other matches, Canada’s Kerri Einarson triumphed over Saskatchewan’s Jolene Campbell 10-4, while Ontario’s Hailey Armstong claimed a 7-3 victory against British Columbia’s Taylor Reese-Hansen. Nova Scotia’s Taylour Stevens also secured a 10-4 win over Nicky Kaufman of the Northwest Territories.
Einarson, a four-time Scotties champion, sits in second place behind Lawes in Pool A with a 5-1 record. Armstrong and Stevens follow closely at 3-2. The top three teams from each of the nine-team pools will advance to the playoffs starting on Friday.
Armstrong provided Lawes with a tough challenge in a tied game on Sunday, which Lawes eventually won with a five-ender in the ninth. This week, Armstrong’s victory over Reese-Hansen was crucial for Ontario, as direct wins are essential in a competition without tiebreaker games.
Lawes, a two-time Olympic champion, earned her spot in the event after finishing behind Pool B leader Beth Peterson in the Manitoba championship. Lawes and vice Selena Njegovan have shared the last stone duties this season, with Njegovan currently skipping and playing third at the Scotties.
Laura Walker is stepping in at second for Jocelyn Peterman, who is preparing for mixed doubles at the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics. Walker’s experience as an alternate and substitute player has been valuable for the team’s dynamics and strategy.
Peterson, leading in Pool B with a 5-0 record, narrowly won 8-7 against Prince Edward Island’s Amanda Power, requiring an extra end for the victory. Meanwhile, Nova Scotia’s Christina Black secured two wins on the day, improving her record to 5-1.
The competition continues with the final scheduled for Sunday, where the winning team will represent Canada at the world women’s curling championship in March in Calgary.
