Thursday, March 24, 2011

Canadian Nationals - Day 3 Draw 6 - and then there was one

Full line scores and statistics and tables are available on our website.

Unbeaten Alberta took on in-form Manitoba in this afternoon's Draw 6 of the Canadian Nationals in Edmonton, with the prospect that a win would not only keep them at the top of the table, but secure their playoff spot.

Manitoba lead Melissa Lecuyer
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Manitoba took their two with opening hammer and held Alberta to 1 in the 2nd when Bruno Yizek was heavy on his draw for a second point. Manitoba skip Chris Sobkowicz wrecked on a guard in the 3rd allowing a steal of 2 and a couple of perfect draws by Bruno in the 4th saw another steal of two and a 5-2 Alberta lead at the break.

Manitoba lost a potential second point to a measure in the 5th after a last rock double, and Alberta took a single in the 6th on another close measure for a 6-3 lead. Manitoba's draw for a vital second point in the 7th came up short, and they were reduced to a circus shot in the 8th to attempt to bridge the two point gap. It failed, Alberta winning 6-4.

BC lead Alison Duddy
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Nova Scotia had their unbeaten record on the line against a BC team who were in danger of losing touch with the leaders. They needn't have worried this afternoon, however, as they held the Bluenosers to a single point in a 6 end 6-1 win.

Ontario lead Shawna Petrie
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Ontario continued their dismal run with a 9-6 defeat against Saskatchewan who had a decisive steal of 4 in the 3rd. Both teams entered this afternoon at 1-4. The game was held up for several minutes when Ontario's skip broke his delivery stick. As he has it taped to his hand, it was not just a case of replacing it, and repairs necessitated an official's time out.

Northern Ontario lead Denise Miault
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For the first time this week, the local Host Team did not give up a 3 or a 4. They didn't even give up a 2, yet lost a game of singles 5-2 to a very inconsistent Northern Ontario side who stole the first two ends to nose ahead and then played tight the rest of the way.

Newfoundland-Labrador's Darlene Jackman and Felix Green
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Quebec managed their second win, over hapless Newfoundland-Labrador 8-1. Newfoundland-Labrador skip Joanne MacDonald held Quebec to singles through five ends but the familiar series of steals continued her winless streak.


Alberta sits alone at the top of the table, and it will need a collapse by Nova Scotia to take away their playoff spot. Both BC and Manitoba, with 4 wins, have two games to play against bottom of the table teams which will make it tough though not impossible for teams with 3 losses to make Saturday play. Teams with 4 losses will need divine intervention.

Table after 6 Draws
Alberta            6 0
Nova Scotia        5 1
British Columbia   4 2
Manitoba           4 2
Host Team          3 3
Northern Ontario   3 3
Quebec             2 4
Saskatchewan       2 4
Ontario            1 5
NFLD and Labrador  0 6

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