Christina Black, hailing from Nova Scotia, secured a victory in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, advancing to the 3/4 Page playoff alongside Alberta’s Selena Sturmay. Black triumphed over Taylour Stevens with a score of 11-6, while Sturmay defeated Manitoba’s Beth Peterson 10-4 in the qualifying games on Friday evening.
Expressing her determination to continue playing, Black stated, “We just want to play as many games as possible so just let us keep playing. I don’t want to go home (Saturday). Now I don’t have to.” The upcoming match will see Sturmay and Black competing in the national women’s curling championship’s Page 3/4 playoff on Saturday afternoon, while Canada’s Kerri Einarson and Manitoba’s Kaitlyn Lawes will face off in the Page 1/2 playoff that evening.
Acknowledging the importance of maintaining their winning streak, Sturmay remarked, “We definitely know that we’re in a position where we’ve got to just keep winning, but we’re grateful to be here. We’re grateful to have a chance to represent Canada. We’re just ready to leave it all out there.”
Looking ahead, the winner of the Einarson versus Lawes match will secure a direct spot in the tournament final, while the losing team will compete against the winner of the Page 3/4 game between Sturmay and Black in Sunday’s semifinal.
Black emphasized the need for composure against Sturmay’s formidable team, stating, “Stay calm, and, you know, it’s a long game. We’ve just gotta play like we can, and be patient. They’re a really good team, so try to keep it close and be able to win it in the end.”
In previous rounds, Einarson emerged victorious over Peterson with a score of 8-5, while Lawes secured a win over Black with an 8-6 score on her final throw. Notably, Einarson and Rachel Homan have been consistent finalists at the Tournament of Hearts over the past nine years.
The games concluded with handshakes in the evening draw, where Black showcased her skill by establishing an early lead and maintaining it throughout the match. This achievement marked the first time two teams from Nova Scotia reached the playoff round of the national championship.
Looking forward to their upcoming playoff match, both Einarson and Lawes mentioned plans for relaxation and strategizing to ensure a successful performance on the ice. Einarson expressed excitement about spending time with family and engaging in leisure activities, while Lawes highlighted the importance of analyzing their previous performance to prepare for the upcoming game.
