Comeback Queen returns

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This article was published 09/12/2009 (5969 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

EDMONTON — It’s got self-help book written all over it, if Jennifer Jones was so inclined to pen the thing.

Title it: "How NOT to press the panic button when the whole curling world is whispering about you.’ Or, ‘Regrouping and reloading in two easy steps.’

Jones, the two-time Canadian champ and heavy favourite here at ‘The Roar of the Rings’ Canadian Olympic Curling Trials, has bounced back from a horrific 0-2 start with two straight victories, including an 8-7 win over Cheryl Webster in her only game on Wednesday.

The two wins has moved Jones and her St. Vital foursome of Cathy Overton-Clapham, Jill Officer and Dawn Askin into three-way tie for third place behind unbeaten Cheryl Bernard (4-0) and Shannon Kleibrink (3-1).

And that’s a far cry from the 0-2 start that had many ready to write Team Jones off completely.

"Maybe it’s resiliency, I don’t know," said Jones after Wednesday’s win over Webster. "We’re pretty determined and we’re not quitters.

"It’s our team dynamic and our desire to play and our desire to play with each other and our love of the game is really what helps us get through these things. We’re going to go out there and we don’t want to have any regrets at the end of the day."

Jones said there was no magic wand she waved after dropping her first two games. She didn’t travel to the top of a mountain to speak to some curling Dalai Lama. Didn’t change her diet or adjust any kind of superstition she may have.

"You can’t dwell on it too much, that’s the biggest thing," said Jones with a shrug. "It’s just curling at the end of the day. Unfortunately we’ve done this before. We get behind the eight ball.

"Yeah, we’re here to win, but we’re also here to enjoy it. So, there’s no sense in giving up and not enjoying ourselves."

GUNNER WATCH: He may be 0-3 and quickly fading from the picture, but Jason Gunnlaugson continues to win over the locals here. The Beausejour skip made a triple takeout for two in the ninth end of a 6-4 loss to Glenn Howard in the morning draw that drew a roar from the crowd and a ‘We love you Gunner!’ cheer from a female fan.

Even Howard high-fived Gunnlaugson after the shot.

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"I love that kid. I love that whole team," said Howard. "I think they’re just a great young bunch of guys. They’re the next up and coming curlers and when I’m retired and watching it that’s who I want to watch. When he threw that bomber down there (in the ninth) I really wanted him to make it because he was going to get the crowd roared up. He’s such a nice kid and gave him a high five and said, ‘Good job.’"

Gunnlaugson, that said, is now in spoiler mode.

"It was good to finally make one," said Gunnlaugson of his highlight-reel shot. "I think they were just waiting to blow up. It was nice to have that reaction because it’s been a bit of a struggle the first few games, especially personally so it was nice to have them roar there.

"Glenn gave me a high five. They’re really good guys. We’ve played a few times on tour and hung out with them a few times between games. If you’re struggling it’s nice to be playing against a guy at least who is friendly and gives you that kind of support."

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca