Christina Black’s squad kicked off Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials quietly. The team now has a shot at finishing the playdowns as Canada’s representatives at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
In a surprising turn of events, Black’s team from the local Halifax Curling Club defeated Kerri Einarson 6-3 in the women’s semifinal on Thursday afternoon, securing a spot in the women’s final against Rachel Homan.
Expressing her elation, Black remarked, “I don’t really have any words. It was awesome.”
Later in the day, Matt Dunstone’s Winnipeg-based team secured a 9-5 victory over Mike McEwen’s Saskatoon team in the men’s semifinal. Dunstone is set to face the Calgary-based rink led by Brad Jacobs in the men’s final.
Breaking a 3-3 tie, Black scored three crucial points in the ninth end, ultimately sealing the win by preventing Einarson from scoring in the 10th.
Einarson, a four-time national champion from Gimli, Manitoba, struggled to generate offense throughout the game and acknowledged being outplayed. Despite losing to Einarson and Homan in the early rounds, Black, the only Nova Scotia representative, managed to secure a spot in the playoffs through a series of wins.
Black’s team, consisting of Jill Brothers, Karlee Everist, and Marlee Powers, showcased excellent performance, strategically stealing points and forcing Einarson into challenging situations.
The upcoming best-of-three series to determine Canada’s representatives in Cortina will feature Black’s team against Homan, who secured a bye to the final with a strong round-robin record.
The showdown is scheduled to begin at Scotiabank Centre on Friday, with a determined Black expressing confidence in her team’s ability to compete despite not being the top-ranked team.
The supportive home crowd has been a driving force for Black and her teammates, especially during an emotional week following the passing of curling legend Colleen Jones. The players have felt the energy and positivity from the spectators, fueling their performance on the ice.
Both the women’s and men’s final games will take place on Friday and Saturday afternoons, with potential third and deciding games scheduled for Sunday if needed. The Winter Games are set to commence on February 4.