Feature game: BC vs QUE
This wasn't even close: Kelley Law dominated. Can't wait to see her next game.
The other games: Saskatchewan won again, handily. Manitoba was down 7-1 after five ends (what??), but they were resilient and down one coming home... and they scored 5 in the final end. Pretty good showing, that'll boost their confidence. I didn't see most of it since it wasn't the feature, but the last two ends Jenn wasn't second-guessing and it showed.
Ontario won in an extra end, which was nice for Krista Scharf.
Until tomorrow then!
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Draw One
The feature game was MB/SK of course.
Manitoba came out aggressive but it cost them a steal of two in the first end, and they never recovered. Some things were clearly at play here. First, the Saskatchewan team (especially their young third) made their shots, deferred to the skip, stayed calm and cool. Jan Betker read the ice well and called a good game. You cannot take away from their performance at all, and the outcome was never in doubt.
But the other side of the story was the outrageous performance by Manitoba, who could have been defeated by my club team. "Who was that team from Manitoba?" asked one of the posters on Curlingzone this evening. You got that right. I was asking myself the same thing. (Keep in mind, I do love this team and am rooting for them!). I don't know if it was the adrenaline, the press, or what, but hits were being overthrown (especially by Jones) and Jones never seemed confident while calling the shots or the ice. The only thing they had in hand, mostly, was weight.
The year they won the Scott, Jones played confidently and inspired confidence in her players. Now there is too much chatter going on. "Do you like this?" She's got to realize that she does call a good, aggressive game, and letting her team second-guess her is never going to result in a championship win. Or even extra games past Thursday. I noticed this same thing last year and am sorry to see it continue at this year's Scott. The team cohesion just isn't there, and Jenn's confidence has got to get boosted or Cathy may as well skip.
So, Saskatchewan wins. And moves up to among my favourites to be there next weekend.
Also winning: Team Canada, PEI, and NWT.
Kelley Law makes her debut tonight against Québec. I don't know the Québec team, so it will be interesting.
Manitoba came out aggressive but it cost them a steal of two in the first end, and they never recovered. Some things were clearly at play here. First, the Saskatchewan team (especially their young third) made their shots, deferred to the skip, stayed calm and cool. Jan Betker read the ice well and called a good game. You cannot take away from their performance at all, and the outcome was never in doubt.
But the other side of the story was the outrageous performance by Manitoba, who could have been defeated by my club team. "Who was that team from Manitoba?" asked one of the posters on Curlingzone this evening. You got that right. I was asking myself the same thing. (Keep in mind, I do love this team and am rooting for them!). I don't know if it was the adrenaline, the press, or what, but hits were being overthrown (especially by Jones) and Jones never seemed confident while calling the shots or the ice. The only thing they had in hand, mostly, was weight.
The year they won the Scott, Jones played confidently and inspired confidence in her players. Now there is too much chatter going on. "Do you like this?" She's got to realize that she does call a good, aggressive game, and letting her team second-guess her is never going to result in a championship win. Or even extra games past Thursday. I noticed this same thing last year and am sorry to see it continue at this year's Scott. The team cohesion just isn't there, and Jenn's confidence has got to get boosted or Cathy may as well skip.
So, Saskatchewan wins. And moves up to among my favourites to be there next weekend.
Also winning: Team Canada, PEI, and NWT.
Kelley Law makes her debut tonight against Québec. I don't know the Québec team, so it will be interesting.
It's STOH Time!
As we get set for the opening draw (two hours away) I think I have to put in my predictions for this year's Scotties. It's a bit hard to say, as I haven't seen any of the teams play this year at all. But I can say who I HOPE will be in there at the end of the week.
Heather Strong (NFLD) - They played really well last year, have awesome hit weight, and they seem like really nice girls (at least, they were when my team played them in the fall)
Jennifer Jones (MB) - Anyone who's read my blog from last year knows all about how awesome I think she is. They'll be fighting for revenge this year, and back in the yellow jackets of Manitoba.
Kelley Law (BC) - Back at the nationals again. She was my favourite at the beginning of the decade, and I'll be interested to see how they play this year.
Kelly Scott (Canada) - Calm and deadly, they should have a good shot, though they're hardly my favourites. I actually think they WILL win the whole thing. Again.
I hope TSN shows either the MB/SK or CAN/NL draw this afternoon. Tonight... they'd better show BC/QUE!
Heather Strong (NFLD) - They played really well last year, have awesome hit weight, and they seem like really nice girls (at least, they were when my team played them in the fall)
Jennifer Jones (MB) - Anyone who's read my blog from last year knows all about how awesome I think she is. They'll be fighting for revenge this year, and back in the yellow jackets of Manitoba.
Kelley Law (BC) - Back at the nationals again. She was my favourite at the beginning of the decade, and I'll be interested to see how they play this year.
Kelly Scott (Canada) - Calm and deadly, they should have a good shot, though they're hardly my favourites. I actually think they WILL win the whole thing. Again.
I hope TSN shows either the MB/SK or CAN/NL draw this afternoon. Tonight... they'd better show BC/QUE!
Monday, February 05, 2007
Last spot determined
Jan Betker defeated Stefanie Lawton to take the final spot in the 2007 STOH. Not surprising, though I would love to see Stefanie back there again this year. Maybe next year (when I hopefully will be in attendance!).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)