Canada's Jones Needs Win To Make Playoffs At Scotties

26/02/2009 18:39

VICTORIA - If Jennifer Jones is going to win the Canadian women's curling championship, she'll have to do it the hard way.

Again.

Jones's Winnipeg foursome continued its unexpected tumble down the Scotties Tournament of Hearts standings Thursday with an 8-7, 11-end loss to Rebecca Jean MacPhee of P.E.I. in Draw 15.

Jones, third Cathy Overton-Clapham, second Jill Officer and lead Dawn Askin squandered a number of opportunities against MacPhee, capped by Jones failing to set a proper guard with her final shot in the 11th end. MacPhee's sister, Robyn, who throws final stones for the rink, finished off the victory by removing Canada's only shot in the rings, leaving P.E.I. lying one.

The loss dropped Canada to 6-4, leaving it in the middle of a logjam with one draw remaining. MacPhee and Quebec's Marie-France Larouche (7-4) each earned at least a tiebreaker berth with victories in Draw 16. Jones and Stefanie Lawton of Saskatchewan are tied for fourth with Alberta's Cheryl Bernard. A win for any of these teams would clinch at least a spot in the tiebreaker, while a loss would likely mean elimination.

"We have one more game, and if we win it I think we're in," said Jones. "That's all we have to do, and go from there."

It's familiar territory for Jones, who began last year's Scotties at 3-4 before reeling off eight straight victories to win the championship.

But there's a major difference: last year, this team wasn't missing many shots. This year, they go into the final game having lost four of their last five games - and facing a team that has clearly been the class of the tournament.

"I'm sure B.C.'s playing well, every team here is playing well," said Jones. "We'll just have to go out and play better."

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UPDATE: SCOTTIES TOURNAMENT OF HEARTS

Cheryl Bernard, representing Alberta, split her two games yesterday, and finished with a 6-5 record, missing the playoffs.

Team Canada's Jennifer Jones (7-4) will face P.E.I.'s Rebecca Jean MacPhee (7-4) this afternoon in a tie-breaker at 2:00 p.m. local time on TSN. The winner of the tie-breaker will advance to the Page 3 vs. 4 playoff game against Saskatchewan's Stefanie Lawton.

B.C.'s Marla Mallett will take on Quebec's Marie-France Larouche tonight at 7:30 p.m. local time in the Page 1 vs. 2 playoff game on TSN. The winner advances directly to Sunday's championship final, while the loser will play the winner of the Page 3 vs. 4 playoff game in Saturday's semi-final.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Could it possibly be that there will be a new Team Canada this year? Possibly, but as of right now, Team Jennifer Jones is still alive in a tie-breaker situation.