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The Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials commenced with an exhilarating match featuring Rachel Homan and Christina Black on Friday. This contest marked the beginning of the best-of-three finals in the women’s division. Homan emerged victorious with a narrow 5-4 win, setting the stage for more exciting games ahead.
Both teams faced unique challenges due to the ice conditions, which were influenced by mild, drizzly weather outside. This created an uneven playing surface, complicating the curlers’ ability to execute their strategies effectively.
Match overview
In the final end, Black found herself in a challenging situation. Down by two points and holding the hammer, she had the opportunity to score multiple points but ultimately settled for just one. She was unable to displace Homan’s stone from the button’s side. Emma Miskew, Homan’s second, commented on the tense nature of the match, stating, “We knew it would be a battle and it was.” The next game in this best-of-three series is set for Saturday afternoon at the Scotiabank Centre.
Game dynamics
The early stages of the game showed Black starting strong with an opening blank, followed by a precise come-around that forced Homan to settle for a single point. In the third end, Homan managed to steal a point after Black’s draw fell short against three of Homan’s rocks. Homan noted the challenges posed by the ice, saying, “The ice kept changing, and it was tough to keep up with, but I thought we stayed really tough together.”
Despite the obstacles, Homan’s team exhibited focus and precision, which paid off. After a series of single-point steals by both teams, Homan gained a small lead. However, Black made a crucial draw against three stones in the fifth end to finally get on the scoreboard.
Strategies and key moments
As the match continued, neither team was able to score more than a single point in any end. Homan settled for another single in the sixth, while Black was limited to one in the seventh. The eighth end saw Black steal a point, intensifying the competition. Homan’s team faced some late-game errors, giving Black a glimmer of hope.
Clutch play
With the game hanging in the balance, Black’s team pressed hard but encountered difficulties due to some missteps on Homan’s side. Homan’s lead, Sarah Wilkes, threw a rock through the house during the ninth end, and Homan’s vice, Tracy Fleury, also missed a crucial hit wide. Fortunately for Homan, a last-minute runback secured a single point, granting her a 5-3 advantage.
In the final end, Black needed two points to force an extra end. A series of tactical taps and freezes created a tense atmosphere with several rocks in play. Homan’s final shot was a guard, leaving Black with a challenging attempt that ultimately fell short. “I just don’t think my shot was possible unless I could throw it a lot harder,” Black remarked afterward. Despite the loss, Black’s performance was commendable, and she expressed a desire to keep the games closer in the next match.
Looking ahead
As Homan prepares for the next round, she is just one victory away from securing another Olympic appearance. Having represented Canada in the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and in mixed doubles at the Beijing Olympics, Homan is determined to make this opportunity count. Meanwhile, Black, competing in her first Trials final with her team, is eager to learn and capitalize on the experience.
The stakes are high as both teams gear up for Saturday’s clash, with a potential decisive Game 3 on Sunday if necessary. The winning team will earn the prestigious honor of representing Canada at the upcoming Milan Cortina Games in February.