Nova Scotia earns playoff spot at Scotties

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This article was published 25/02/2011 (5629 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CHARLOTTETOWN – Nova Scotia’s Heather Smith-Dacey became the fourth and final playoff team here Friday afternoon at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

Nova Scotia scored a deuce with the hammer in the first end and then stole the next three ends to jump out to a 6-0 lead, hanging on the rest of the way for a 9-8 win over BC’s Kelly Scott in a playoff tiebreaker game to decide the final playoff team.

With the victory, Nova Scotia now advances to Saturday afternoon’s 3 vs 4 page playoff game against Ontario’s Rachel Homan. The winner of that game will advance to Saturday evening’s semi-final, while the loser is eliminated.

Smith-Dacey, 38, has been around competitive curling for two decades, while Homan, 21, is still almost a raw rookie. But both women are describing tomorrow’s game as one of the biggest in their lives.

“We worked hard and this was our goal and we’re a little surprised I guess to be here so soon,” Homan said this afternoon.

“Just like any game, I’m a bit nervous. I think it’s good nerves. I’m excited to play and hopefully it’s a long day for us.”

“Oh, gosh, it’s one of the biggest for me, too.,” said Smith-Dacey. “I’m at a different stage in my life, obviously, with children, businesses and all that stuff. But certainly it’s an honour and a privilege, and we’re just thrilled to be in this position.”

Meanwhile, Winnipeg’s Jennifer Jones will take to the ice here this evening against Saskatchewan’s Amber Holland in the 1 vs 2 game (TSN, 5:30 p.m.). With a victory tonight, Jones would advance straight to Sunday’s final.

But even a loss would not eliminate Team Canada’s Jones – the loser tonight will advance to Saturday’s semi-final.

If Jones wins, she will be playing in her sixth Canadian final since 2005 – and fourth in a row. Jones has a record of 4-1 in previous appearances in the final.