Latest News

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Jones improves to 5-2 after beating Saskatchewan

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 02/21/2012 6:16 PM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

JONATHAN HAYWARD / THE CANADIAN PRESS Enlarge Image

Manitoba skip Jennifer Jones makes a shot during a afternoon draw against Saskatchewan at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Red Deer, Alta., on Tuesday.

RED DEER — Manitoba’s Jennifer Jones won her second straight game here Tuesday at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, dropping Saskatchewan’s Michelle Englot 8-7.

Combined with an 8-3 win over Nova Scotia’s Heather Smith-Dacey earlier Tuesday, Jones has now improved to 5-2 and is alone in second place. She trails only Team Canada’s Amber Holland, who improved to 5-1 Tuesday afternoon with a 9-4 win over Ontario’s Tracy Horgan.

The Manitoba victories came after a disastrous night Monday in which Manitoba second Jill Officer slipped on the ice and burned a rock, costing Manitoba a critical steal of two in a loss to Canada’s Holland.

"It did feel good (to bounce back after Monday night loss)," Jones said afterward. "It was just one loss — it was just an unfortunate loss. But we’re a team, we stick together, and I’m really proud of how the girls came out today."

Manitoba is now done here for the day. They return to the ice Wednesday when they play BC’s Kelly Scott on the morning draw and then NWT’s Kerry Galusha at night.

Scott lost her second straight Tuesday afternoon, falling 7-4 to Alberta’s Heather Nedohin. The loss dropped Scott to 4-2 and puts her alone in third place, with a game in hand on Manitoba. BC plays Newfoundland’s Heather Strong (2-4) here tonight.

In the only other game on the afternoon draw, New Brunswick improved to 4-3 with an 8-4 win over Nova Scotia. New Brunswick is tied with Saskatchewan for the fourth and final playoff spot.

Meanwhile, Canada’s Holland is emerging as one of the most compelling stories here this week. The defending champion had a hopeless cashspiel season, winning just $900 all winter, and very little was expected of her team coming into this week.

But the skip has been red-hot and it’s all starting to look like last year’s Scotties, when Holland stunned everyone in defeating Jones in the final.

Holland said her team hasn’t been perfect this week -- and that’s OK.

"It’s all about timing," said Holland, "making the right shots at the right time, not necessarily making them all."

(You must be logged in to post your reaction)

Your reaction?

More Latest News

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010; View the changes. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.