2010 STOH HeartChart Feb 7

Issue 9 – Sunday, February 7, 2010 • An Official Publication of the Canadian Curling Association.

Smiles from the isle P.E.I. advances to its first Scotties final by outgunning Ontario

From left, P.E.I.’s Tricia Affleck, Kathy O’Rourke, Erin Carmody and Geri-Lynn Ramsay rejoice after topping host Ontario 10-6 in Saturday night’s semifinal at the Essar Centre.

■ History in the making?

Page 2

■ Envelopes, please!

■ Sportsman nod for Scott

Page 5

Page 11

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Page 2

HeartChart

Soo showdown Team Canada goes for Scotties three-peat today against Island interlopers Larry Wood HeartChart Editor

I

t’s the kind of championship matchup no one could have predicted.

The defending champion versus a team featuring a 21-year-old last rock thrower representing a province that has not only never won the Scotties Tournament Of Hearts, but has never placed a team in the final.

“Pretty amazing right now,” said Prince Edward Island skip Kathy O’Rourke in the wake of Saturday night’s convincing 10-6 victory over home-province favourite Krista McCarville and her Thunder Bay aggregation.

Today’s Final 2:30 p.m. — Canada (Page One-Two winner) vs. Prince Edward Island (semifinal winner)

Pretty amazing, indeed.

One night earlier, P.E.I. was afforded sufficient opportunities to defeat the defending champs, but lost on account of a mediocre 60-per-cent shooting performance on last rocks.

On Saturday, the Islanders benefited from a total turnaround from 21-year-old Erin Carmody, who strangled Ontario’s hopes with

a scintillating 93-per-cent effort on the last shots.

“Erin was on fire,” agreed O’Rourke. “I told her last night that we’d just had a practice game and we’d come back tomorrow and she could do her thing. She said, ‘Yeah, that’s what I’m going to do,’ and she did it tonight.”

Question: Can this smooth-shooting young lady do it one more time and win what amounts to a rubber match against Jennifer Jones and Team Canada, winners of three of the last five Scotties and the two-time defending champs?

“I think we have the nerves under control and big games under our belt and I hope we feel we have a score to settle with Team Canada,” said the 45-yearold O’Rourke, who throws second rocks.

Added Carmody: “I think we can come back against them (Team Canada). I think we were a little nervous (Friday night) and that showed but we know we can play a lot better. I got great comfort and support from my teammates — they did everything the could to pick me up — and that helped me today.”

The Islanders exploded out of the gate with a

At left, the rocks weren’t sliding Ontario’s way during Saturday’s 10-6 semifinal loss to P.E.I. Top, the island’s Geri-Lynn Ramsay curled 65 per cent, but got it done. Above, Team Ontario will now have to focus on 2011 in Charlottetown.

first-end deuce, courtesy of two perfect Carmody draw shots, then hammered three on the board for a 5-1 lead after three ends.

McCarville’s group never fully recovered; however, they did scrap and claw to within two points after eight panels.

“We tried to think about one shot at a time out there,” said O’Rourke, “and when it was over we were just in a

little shock.”

The Islanders defeated Jones during the round robin with a 9-5 effort on Wednesday night, then bowed 8-5 on Friday.

“Hopefully, we have some unfinished business with them, but it still feels good to get into that final and make history,” said O’Rourke.

“Now we want to make real history! And to do that we have to think about making as many shots again. We’re playing a great team, but so are a bunch of others here and we don’t look at the colour of the jackets.”

Carmody agreed: “They’re obviously pretty good, they’re Team Canada, but I try to always focus on our team and never mind the opposition.

If we can just focus on our shots, we’ll be fine.”

Carmody had an open hit for three in the second end against Canada on Friday night and miscued. Everyone agreed a shot there would have changed the game completely.

“If that happens again I might line up a little better and take an extra breath in the hack,” she laughed.

The McCarville team was slow to get its act together but, trailing 7-2 in the sixth, managed a deuce and co-

erced another in the eighth to cut the lead to two points.

But stationing rocks in the correct places was a tough act all night long.

“It’s disappointing but we’ll learn from it,” said the 27-year-old Lakehead skip.

“They play so well. They just never let us back into it. I was confused on a couple of shots that proved costly. We’re a young team. We’ll have a lot more shots at this, I’m sure.

Every setback at this level teaches you something.”

Today’s final match goes at 2:30 p.m. ET; the winner will represent Canada at the Ford World women’s championship, March 20-28 at Swift Current, Sask.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Page 3

Jones gang avoiding ‘Canadian idle’ Team Canada stayed busy during day off Todd Kimberley HeartChart Associate Editor

A

mong the visitors this past week at the Essar Centre was Rex Goudie of Canadian Idol.

As for Jennifer Jones’ two-time defending Scotties champs? They were determined on Saturday not to be Canadian idle.

By virtue of its 8-5 victory over Prince Edward Island in the Page One-Two playoff game on Friday night, Jones’ Team Canada rink earned a berth in this afternoon’s 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts championship final at 2:30

p.m. ET — and a rare Saturday off.

This is the Jones crew’s sixth straight appearance at the Canadian women’s curling championship, but they haven’t taken the direct route to the final since 2005, when they edged Kelly Scott’s British Columbia outfit 8-7 in the Page OneTwo game, then clipped Jenn Hanna’s Ontario rink 8-6 in the national championship showdown.

“The biggest thing when you have a day off is to keep yourself occupied,” said longtime Team Canada second Jill Officer, following Friday night’s win over the Islanders. “I remember there not being a whole lot to do on the Saturday in St. John’s that year, and we did a lot of sitting around.

“I think we’ve learned to manage that spare time a little better since then. It’s

different now, given that it’s five years later,” added Officer. “We know a little better, how to approach things like that.

“It shouldn’t be too much problem. There’s the (annual awards brunch); we’ve got practice time booked; and (Saturday’s Page threeFour and semifinal) games are on, so we’ll be watching some of those. So I think it’ll be OK.” In the final analysis, it hasn’t mattered much to the Jones quartet how they get to the big dance.

They’ve proven they can do it the easy way — or the hard way.

During each of the past two Scotties, at Regina in 2008 and Victoria in 2009, Jones and Co. finished with four round-robin losses, meaning they had to win a tiebreaker, the Page Three-Four game, and the

semifinal to qualify for the national showdown.

Their victims in the final were Alberta’s Shannon Kleibrink, by a 6-4 count, in 2008 and B.C.’s Marla Mallett, by an 8-5 score, in 2009. In 2008, they would go on to win a world championship at Vernon, B.C. But Team Canada third Cathy Overton-Clapham noted that the Scotties is very much a nine-day grind.

And with two games a day for the first six days, a day off during this granite marathon is a rare treasure.

“When you’re playing in those tiebreakers, you don’t have a whole lot of time to think, and it’s really mentally and physically exhausting,” said OvertonClapham, whose squad finished this year’s round robin in the Soo with an 8-3 record, identical to that of P.E.I.

“I think the rest is going to be nice,” added OvertonClapham following Friday’s win over the Islanders.

“Time to rejuvenate and get ready for Sunday’s game.

Just try to be ready to come out and be our best on Sunday.”

Officer said she wasn’t concerned about her team losing its edge without some

Jennifer Jones: Direct route to today’s 2:30 ET final.

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sort of Saturday playoff stimulation.

“We’re going to be out on the ice, and we’ll have an opportunity to throw some rocks up and down for a while, and that’s important and that’s key,” she said.

“As long as we stay relaxed and come out on Sunday and do our thing, we’ll be OK.”

Amarula is the official spirit of the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Tim Hortons Brier and Ford World Women’s Curling Championship.

Please visit www.amarula.com to learn more. Amarula is a rare find. Appreciate it accordingly.

Page 4

HeartChart

Great granite! One sublime Scotties

JIM CRONIN

HeartChart Columnist

W

hat a wild nine days at the Essar Centre! I’m sure visions of curling rocks will be dancing in my head at least for the next couple of days with the conclusion of the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts today in Sault Ste. Marie.

As one of the more than four hundred local volunteers who worked on the Scotties I consider myself privileged to have been a part of this great curling event.

Here are some of my personal observations looking back on the past nine days.

■ Where were the fans early in the week? It was disappointing and a bit embarrassing to watch the TSN national television coverage and see so many empty seats.

After all this tournament featured some of the top women

curlers in the world...not just Canada. In fact, there were at two skips who have both Canadian and world championships on their resume. The lack of early fan support can’t be blamed on poor communications. There were posters, signs, brochures in every nook and cranny of Sault Ste. Marie for weeks, and plenty of media hype.

■ As a former news guy in radio and television, I have been critical at times of the news and sports coverage provided by the local media.

However with the Scotties, I have to congratulate our all of the Sault media outlets for their excellent and extensive coverage of the Scotties before and during the event.

I know the local media have limited staff but they obviously felt this was an important sports championship and dedicated the necessary resources. Well done!

■ Volunteers make or break and event like the Scotties.

There are a million jobs associated with an event of this magnitude in the planning, organizing and executing of the championship. I am proud to have worked with so many dedicated volunteers in all areas of the Scottie project.

These people took their jobs very seriously and performed like professionals . . . even

though they were unpaid volunteers. And all you had to do was look around at the smiling faces every morning in the volunteer lounge to know they loved what they were doing.

■ Our leader of the more than four hundred Scottie’s volunteers was of course Sandra Randa. And even though Sandra would be the first person to give all the credit to the main body of volunteers, we needed a strong leader with a vision to be able to pull off a successful Scotties. The number of hours that Sandra put in to the Scotties championship is probably off the scale. Her calm quiet demeanour was a steadying force for all of us . . . even when things didn’t go exactly as planned.

■ Thank you Sault Ste. Marie City Council and staff for having the vision to construct more than just a hockey rink at the Essar Centre. I can’t tell you how many times volunteers, curlers on the competing teams and their coaches and visitors in town for the Scotties raved about the Essar. It’s a great facility and we were all proud to of this perfect venue for the 2010 Scotties.

Please see CRONIN, Page 12

Healthy and Vibrant Communities We are pleased to support the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in promoting sports and recreational opportunities in Sault Ste. Marie.

Call us to discuss ideas for your community.

Des communautés saines et dynamiques Nous sommes heureux d'appuyer le Tournoi des Coeurs Scotties de 2010 qui participera à la promotion des activités de sports et loisirs à Sault Ste. Marie.

Appelez-nous pour discuter de vos idées au sujet de votre communauté.

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Sunday, February 7, 2010

Page 5

Heartstoppers, heartwarmers and heartaches LARRY WOOD HeartChart Editor

T

ime again to apply the wrapping to another Scotties, a Tournament Of Hearts renewal that definitely has had its moments. Lessee . . . picturesque location along the St. Mary’s, some sunny days, a first-class facility at the Essar Centre, a load of great volunteers.

All right. ‘Nuff said, right?

The top two teams have been determined and it’s time for the annual Scotties Tournament Hearts and Heartaches Awards as chosen by your favourite daily journal (with input from several and sundry

spies and assorted insiders . . . also outsiders . . . and a proviso that none of these selections should be taken too seriously and none are awarded with malice toward anyone).

Hence, without further ado, the envelopes, if you please . . .

Most under-rated — Not much doubt about this one.

All together now, a P and an E an an I! Maybe the pundits should be kicking themselves. The Islanders have had some pretty impressive showings in the past. The MacPhees last year, Suzanne (Gaudet) Birt in 2003. They’ve just never made it to the finish line, is all. But taking a page out of the Russ Howard-Brad Gushue book was a stroke of genius. And P.E.I. had the shooters to back up the formula — skip at second, young hot shots throwing third and fourth bricks. Is there any doubt about this one? Like, wow!

Most disappointing off ice — The HeartStop.

Where was it? Ten minutes from the arena is too far away. Ten minutes from the major hotels is too, too far.

Sorry. It has to be right next door to be legitimately considered part of the show.

Most disappointing on ice — Had to be Saskatchewan. Granted, this was Amber Holland’s first kick at the Softy, after years of banging heads in a tough province trying to get here.

But she’s loaded with savvy and experience. Beat some great teams to finally make it. And the team just didn’t perform to expectations. Oh well . . . Saskatchewan, over the last dozen or so years, has turned into Next-Year Country. Hence . . .

Safe drivers — The total complement of steeringwheel volunteers. What an effort! Personal service extraordinaire. Best in memory. Thank you, Harold McCarthy and Co.

Please see WOOD, Page 10

Sault Ste. Marie O N TA R I O

Tourism SSM and the City of SSM proudly welcome all athletes, family and fans to the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

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C A N A D A

Page 6

HeartChart

Ontario’s Krista McCarville: Move those brushes!

face Putting a

to the

game

Manitoba’s Leslie Wilson, above: Deep in thought. Below, Stephanie LeDrew of Newfoundland: Yukking it up.

The people and personalities of the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts

Quebec’s Eve Belisle: Qu’est-ce qui se passe?

Ontario’s Kari MacLean: Hurry hard!

B.C.’s Kelly Scott, left: Yikes! Team Canada’s Jennifer Jones, right: Not exactly as she planned.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Page 7

‘Big family’ means big excitement: Charlottetown preps for 2011 Scotties Larry Wood HeartChart Editor

T

he last time the Scotties Tournament of Hearts was staged in Charlottetown, post-event reports seeping off Prince Edward Island painted a word picture of one whale of a razzlin’, dazzlin’ party.

Veteran observers concur.

It was a Scotties to cherish, also to remember.

Organizing committee chair for the 2011 renewal is Kim Dolan, who’s run more curling championships than she cares to count and is relying on the good vibes from that 1999 event, one which still is talked about on both sides of the Confederation Bridge.

“It was special because of the atmosphere that was created within the building,” says Dolan, who’s a Scotties regular as organizer and player.

“Charlottetown really embraced the event, and once they saw the whole thing — the curling of that calibre hadn’t been seen there for a long time — Islanders came out in droves.

From left, co-chair Rebecca Jean MacPhee, chair Kim Dolan, and head of promotions Nancy Cameron, of the Charlottetown 2011 organizing committee, are in the Soo this week to observe this year’s Scotties.

“They filled the arena and they filled the HeartStop which is right across the hallway.

There was just buzz around the whole event.”

The same Civic Centre venue, with a few additional seats, will

be the site for 2011 and the same adjacent HeartStop watering hole will be open for businss next door.

“This makes the event whole, I think, with the HeartStop and arena connected,” says Dolan. “Walk across the hall and you’re into a totally other atmosphere. So it’s a nice combo for what we want.”

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The Civic Centre is a 4,000-seat building — “we lose about 400 so it’ll be just over 3,500 for curling.

It’s a perfect size for this event and I think we’ll do well again.”

Dolan was the chair in 1999 until she wound up winning the province, as third for Rebecca Jean MacPhee. Coincidentally,

current Island skip Kathy O’Rourke played second on the same team.

The next designated chair wanted to go to the Brier, so, in the end, “Marion MacAulay, a very capable lady, took over and did a great job”.

“I think we had a really good handle on what it took to hold an event like this,”

says Dolan. “Whether it was a lot of experience from being there or not, we paid attention to all the small details and did them well and I think a lot of people agree it was one of the best Scotties.”

Right now, she says, the excitement is building for next year, partially due to the achievements of O’Rourke’s team at the Essar Centre this week.

Something else. MacPhee, who skipped in last year’s Scotties, will be the co-chair.

“There’s a buzz around town about next year,” says Dolan. “Seats are selling, we’ve had sales every day since Feb. 1. From this event, and P.E.I. doing well, we’re seeing growth in sales. I think Islanders add their own touch to this sort of show. It’s another level of hospitality.

“Everything is big family in Charlottetown. Everything is pretty central. Our curlers don’t do a lot of travelling.

But it’s the closeness of the Islanders. It generates a tight-knit community. We see one another every day. All our players have pretty good relationships.”

Please see FAMILY, Page 10

The Party Line • Your guide to what’s goin’ on

Page 8

your guide to what’s goin’ on

Three Cheers for the

Volunteers!

All week long - and for months leading up to the event - nearly 450 volunteers have been hard at work making sure the 2010 Scotties is the best it can be. And they’ve come through with flying colours... so let’s all share a hearty toast to our hosts!

Take a

Free Ride

Shuttle service is available daily between the Essar Centre and HeartStop Lounge at the Soo Curlers Association. The service is provided by Tim Hortons and the City of Sault Ste. Marie. Shuttles will depart every half hour to both venues. Departure points are the main parking lot near the front entrance of the Essar Centre and front door of the Soo Curlers Association.

Full schedules are posted at both departure points and online at seasonofchampions.ca

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Page 9

It’s Simply

Oh, What a Wonderful Week it’s Been!

A big thank you to volunteer photographer Neil MacEwan!

Neil has contributed a number of great photos to The Party Line during the past week.

Friday, February 4 Tina Svistunenko - ticket number 20722 - won $2,346.50

Cool Curling Comes Down to the Crunch!

Competition at the 2010 Scotties has been packed with excitement all week long in the Essar Centre… and the HeartStop Lounge. Today, it comes down to a dramatic climax in both venues!

Since Monday, the Cool Curlers have been fighting it out in the HeartStop for the right to compete for the cash on championship weekend. The semi-finals get underway at 12:30 pm, followed by final game action.

Make sure you get your spot in the HeartStop! The Cool Curling winner takes home $600, with $300 for second and $150 for third.

HeartStop Lounge Menu

Homestyle Cooking Available 11 am – 7 pm Catering

Provided by Rico’s

Todays Menu Pasta and Meatballs $6.00 Soup and Sandwich $6.00 Salads (Garden, Caesar or Greek) $4.00

Vegetarian Option

Vegetarian Pizza

$2.50/slice

Page 10 Most cerebral interview — ’Twould have to be the same Amber Holland.

But what the . . .? She eats, breathes, works and lives curling. She always should be an enlightening source for the media wretches.

Most humourous interview — Shelley Nichols is some kind of quipster. Always tells it like it is, with a touch of badinage.

Plain-talkin’, from-the-hip interview — Jill Thurston.

Most over-used cliche — For the umpteenth straight year, “the wrong side of the inch” will drive us all bananas!

Most intimidating — The more the Joneses win, the more they’re going to petrify most of the opposition. But some say Shelley Nichols shakes up her foes, big-time.

Teehead gamblers — The Spud Islanders again wasted no time launching the offence and, commendably, they played that way all game, all week. Nothing like getting the back-end youngsters used to the heat. The team exhibited an intriguing dynamic.

Shooter, pound-for-pound — How about Geri-Lynn Ramsay? A lot of clutch hitand-rolls were produced by that young lady.

Hottest last shot — Krista McCarville delivered a litany of eye-poppers in clutch situations.

Most deserving — Sharon Cormier wasn’t supposed to emerge from the frozen north.

She wasn’t supposed to handle this field. All she did was knock off practically every socalled giant on the premises.

The Polars deserved far more than their record indicated.

Toughest week — Nova Scotia . . . again! This was

HeartChart the return bout for Nancy McConnery’s team but it just wasn’t up to competing here.

Skipper recovering from knee surgery made it difficult. Oh well, they had fun, any way.

Good sports — The same Bluenosers. Runnerup: The youngsters from Alberta.

So close and yet so far — B.C. and Ontario were in the thick of every game. Either one could conceivably have been No. 1.

Long, slow fade (a.k.a.

The Crazy Canuck Award) — Alberta. Valerie Sweeting burst from the gate with a 95 per cent shooting performance. It was all downhill from there. And fast!

Miraculous recovery (a.k.a. The John Morris Award) — Tara George rebounds from a car crash and whiplash, operates as though she just bounced out of a gym. Something about performing in the old hometown, perhaps.

Eldest and fittest — Kathy O’Rourke wasn’t the eldest but probably was the fittest.

But can you believe there were only four — that’s right, four — over-40 starters in the entire field? This definitely is not an oldster’s game!

Sure to be seen again — Sounds like a broken record: Statuesque Andrea Kelly of Fredericton, but she requires much stronger support. To repeat — much stronger support! Runnerup: The Carmody-Ramsay combo.

Ms. Cool — Ms. Jones.

Determination personified — The same Ms. Jones.

Runnerup: Ms. McCarville.

Job elevation — Kelly MacIntosh was called off the bench and slammed smack dab on the Nova Scotia teehead.

From Page 5

WOOD Heart-stopping smile — Tricia Affleck is capable of producing a complete meltdown.

Another addictive smile — Leslie Wilson.

Curling’s most consistent smile — Amber Holland.

Says: “If you can’t smile, you can’t curl.”

Screaming Mimi Award — Jennifer Jones can yell “hard!” with the best of them.

Best team colours — We kinda like P.E.I. They toned down the Quebec blue.

Best tattoo — Cheryl Bernard’s crew showed up, all the way from Calgary, for a little practice on arena ice, complete with brand new Olympic stamps.

Fair hair – Geri-Lynn Ramsay and Kari MacLean can do wonders with those locks.

Scare hair — Kathy O’Rourke needs a new coiffurist.

Best former skip now playing another position — Kristen Phillips.

No more soft-touch holidays — All of a sudden alternate players were given new lives at the Scotties.

Couldn’t begin to guess why — heh-heh!

One of a kind — Exec Robin Wilson . . . forever.

Also irreplaceable.

All-star medical team (includes physios, nurses, lab techs, anybody in the field) — Nancy McConnery (skip emeritus), Steph LeDrew, Rhonda Rogers, Martine Comeau, Ashley Miharija.

All-star rookie team — Skip Amber Holland, third

Kristen Phillips, second Leslie Wilson, lead Jacquie Armstrong.

On-ice rookie-of-theyear — Erin Carmody, no contest, from a massive field of newcomers.

Mom-to-be — She ain’t sayin’!

Amazing mom — Krista McCarville gives birth in September, looks after her daughter through the Olympic pre-Trials, the Olympic Trials, the Ontario championship, and, now, the Scotties. Amazing? Make that unbelievable!

Coaching award — Looks like P.E.I.’s Al Ledgerwood nips Rick Lang and Gerry Richard by a nose.

Best eatery — 1. Solo (outstanding), 2. Joey Calzone’s, 3. Giovanni’s (a local institution, we’re told).

Best pizza — Probably Joey’s.

Ms. Congeniality — Kelly Scott’s a good choice.

Ebullience personified — Shelley Nichols.

Hard-luck Harriet Award — Sharon Cormier, as mentioned.

Best rug dealer — Cathy O, of course!

Who’s-on-first? — Everybody had an answer for the confusion on the ice.

Was it the rocks? The ice?

The brooms? The inexperience? The stop watches? The releases? The shooting stats weren’t high but stats are for the birds, anyway.

Unofficial all-stars (which should be official, of course) as chosen by your favourite daily journal —Skip: Kelly Scott, B.C. (by a hair over Krista McCarville). Third: Cathy O, Canada (what else is new?). Second: Jill Officer, Canada (what else is new?)

Lead: Dawn Askin, Canada (because the shooting percentages tell you so).

OK, so we’ll throw in a backup — Skip Krista McCarville, third Kristen Phillips, second Sasha Carter, lead Heather Kalenchuk.

How about all-star alternates? — Too tough to pick a team. Kelly MacIntosh gets the nod at skip, obviously. Stats say Jolene Campbell, Kendra Georges and Sarah Lang. On the experience gauge, Shelly Bradley, France Charette, Dawn Moses and Jennifer Clark-Rouire.

Commentator — Russ Howard opens so many windows for the viewer.

Retirement beckons — Ray Turnbull. Never thought it would happen!

Biggest loser — What’s the People’s Network doing for curling excitement these days? Anybody for those exciting eight-end games?

The attendance — Disappointing. Not even close to a record (154,688). But, probably, it wasn’t expected.

The volunteers — You never get volunteers that aren’t top-notch. If they weren’t top-notch, they wouldn’t be volunteers. And, oh, how the Scotties Tournament of Hearts is dependent upon them, as everyone knows.

Weather — Could have been so much worse. In winter, in the middle of our country, what else can you ask for?

Wish — This was last year’s: 1. Let’s go back to Newfoundland and/or P.E.I. and/or Nova Scotia. 2. Plant the event right here in Victoria. This year: Well, one out of two wasn’t bad! Spud Island, here we come!

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From Page 7

FAMILY “And when it comes to staging an event, everybody pulls together.

“It’s all about community. Charlottetown will embrace it. Visitors will be recognized walking down the street. People will be stopping you and talking to you. That’s all part of an event like this in P.E.I. People coming in will have memories they won’t be able to gather anywhere else.”

Dolan, who’s been to 11 Scotties as a curler, five as a skip, three as a third, three as an alternate, expects a volunteer brigade of 400 to 500 will be required to set the wheels turning next February.

Charlottetown boasts more than 1,000 hotels within walking distance of the Civic Centre. And the entertainment, naturally, will be “down-east.”

“We’re planning stepdancing lessons, bagpipes, fiddles, the works. It’ll have a definite Atlantic atmosphere. We’ll be showing off the down-east talent that we have.

“Curling gets a big boost from TV and when people get a chance to see it live and have seen what our team has done here, I think we’ll have no trouble filling the building,” says Dolan.

Oh yes, and one other thing.

“We have good lobster,” she says with a grin. “And plenty of it.”

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Great Scott!

B.C. skip earns repeat honour for sportsmanship

Top: First all-star team, from left, consisting of Kelly Scott (B.C.), Cathy OvertonClapham (Canada), Jill Officer (Canada) and Dawn Askin (Canada).

Above: Second all-star team, from left, of Jennifer Jones (Canada), Jeanna Schraeder (B.C.), Sasha Carter (B.C.), and Jacquie Armstrong (B.C.).

Kelly Scott of Kelowna is the sixth repeat winner of the Marj Mitchell Award.

Page 11

Todd Kimberley HeartChart Associate Editor

S

ince she last hoisted the Marj Mitchell Award, Kelly Scott has won two national championships and one world women’s curling title.

And that, says Jeanna Schraeder, makes Scott’s Saturday morning repeat all the more special.

“I think it says a lot, given Kelly’s success in the game, that players continue to vote for her, especially for an award this special,” said Schraeder, Scott’s longtime third. “Sometimes players who go on and do very well may not receive those votes. votes.”

During the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts annual awards brunch at the Marconi Club, the 32-year-old Scott, the Kelownabased skip of British Columbia’s provincial entry, was again presented with the Marj Mitchell Award for sportsmanship.

Scott becomes the sixth repeat winner of the Mitchell hardware.

And just like 2006, when she first won the award, Scott was most impressed that it was based on a ballot of her peers.

“I appreciate the fact that we’re all out there competing, trying our hardest to beat one another,” said Scott. “And to receive an award voted on by my peers, that recognizes I’m out there with good intentions at all times . . . I appreciate the fact that they consider me to be a sportsmanlike player.

“That’s really what it’s all about, enjoying yourself out there and being with your teammates and your opponents, who are your friends.

“It’s not just winning. It does mean a lot.”

Scott, Schraeder, Sasha Carter and

then-lead Renee Simons won back-to-back Scotties in 2006 and 2007, and a global crown the latter year in Aamori, Japan.

“Being one of her teammates for so many years, I see everything all these other players see as well,” said Schraeder. “She’s got a heart of gold. She’s a very good teammate.

“She’s very supportive, someone you can always count on.

Never has a bad attitude when things aren’t going our way, always positive.

“And I think it really shows.

Obviously, her opponents see that behaviour as well as her teammates.”

Besides the sportsmanship co component, the Mitchell award is ppresented annually to the ind individual who best exemplifies the spirit of curling and makes a llasting impact on the region ho hosting the Scotties that year.

O Other two-time winners are Jan Jane Arseneau (New Brunswi wick), Ann Merklinger (Ontario) an and Heidi Hanlon (New Brunswi wick), while Stefanie Clark (Pr (Prince Edward Island) and Al Alison Goring (Ontario) have wo won three times.

T The Mitchell award is often co considered an unsung-hero aw award, but in Scott’s case, given he her various championships, it’s mo more of a nod to ambassadorship — especially while the quartet co competed on the world stage at Grande Prairie, Alta., and Aa Aamori. ““Sometimes, once you do rea reach success, people are always ch cheering for the underdog, and wa want to see you get beat,” said Sc Scott. ““So I appreciate the fact that we have reached success in the spo sport, and yet my peers can still co consider me to be playing in the spi spirit of the game.”

A Also announced Saturday mo morning were the 2010 Scottie ties Tournament of Hearts’ all all-star awards, based on curling pe percentages through the roundrob robin portion of the tournament.

T The first all-star team consis sists of skip Scott, third Cathy Ov Overton-Clapham (Canada), sec second Jill Officer (Canada) and lea lead Dawn Askin (Canada).

T The second all-star team is made up of Jennifer Jones (C (Canada), third Schraeder, sec second Carter, and lead Jacquie Ar Armstrong (British Columbia).

Page 12

HeartChart

SCOTTIES SCHEDULE AND RESULTS Today’s Final 2:30 p.m. — Canada (Page One-Two winner) vs. Prince Edward Island (semifinal winner)

Saturday’s Semifinal Ontario P.E.I.* %age Ontario P.E.I.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 0 3 0 2 0 1 Lead Second Third 90 70 73 84 75 65

8 9 10 T 2 0 0 6 0 1 1 10 Skip Team 70 76 93 79

Saturday’s Page 3-4 Playoff B.C.* Ontario %age B.C. Ontario

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 2 Lead Second Third 80 84 70 85 81 73

■ Like volunteers, local business support is critical to staging an event the size of the Scotties. Sault businesses stepped up and literally wallpapered their stores with Scotties banners, signs and brochures. It was hard to find a merchant in the city who wasn’t promoting the Scotties in some manner. Some of the businesses paid cash to be associated with the event while others provided in-kind services. It all added up to a city-wide show of support.

■ I have to admit that although I have attended a few Briers (the men’s national championship) over the years, this is my first Scotties. I was impressed with the quality of curling particularly by some of these young women who are making their first Scotties experience. I think the future of women’s curling in Canada

8 9 10 T 1 0 x 4 0 1 x 6 Skip Team 71 76 88 82

From Page 4

CRONIN: Future’s in good hands

is well served by this crop of young curlers who can throw hard but also find the delicate touch to the button. I don’t want to downplay the importance of the veteran curlers on the teams, but these young yet highly skilled ladies are the future.

■ A vote of thanks needs to go to the Canadian Curling Association officials who were here before and during the Scotties to provide advice

Tara George of Ontario delivers a rock into the hands of Ashley Miharija and Kari MacLean.

and direction for this national championship. The many CCA officials played very important roles in all facets of the Scotties event, but they also recognized and respected the jobs of the local volunteer committee and the army of volunteers.

■ And finally, my personal thanks to Larry Wood and Todd Kimberley who each day write, edit and publish this newspaper, HeartChart, and allowed me to be a parttime member of their team during the Sault Ste. Marie Scotties. These two guys are true professionals who have their nose to the grindstone from morning to night covering the curling action and providing informative, entertaining and insightful coverage.

Thank you, gentlemen, for letting me contribute to your well-read curling newspaper.

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Sunday, February 7, 2010

Page 13

Time out for trivia Larry Wood HeartChart Editor

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Colleen Jones won four Scott tournaments in a row. No other skip or team has managed that feat. Nor has any other team or curler appeared in seven straight Canadian women’s championships. Name three players who, this year, are appearing in their sixth straight Scotties.

2. Two other skips have won five straight provincial/territorial titles.

They are?

3. Name the only curler who has represented both the Yukon and Northwest Territories at the Scott Tournament of Hearts.

4. Name the runnerup skips in this year’s provincial Hearts finals who never before have played in the Scott Tournament of Hearts, their hometowns, and the provinces/territories they narrowly missed winning.

5. How about any skips who lost in this year’s provincial Hearts finals but previously won the Scotties title (playing any position)?

6. Which year(s) did she (they) win the Scotties?

7. Name the skip of the last team in the Canadian women’s championship to boast an undefeated record.

8. In what year was that record achieved and where?

9. Name the last Cana-

dian champion skip to suffer but a single defeat throughout the Tournament of Hearts 10. Her hometown and the year?

11. Name the skip who beat her.

12. How about her hometown?

13 Name the only Ontario skip who twice finished in second place at the Canadian women’s curling championship.

14. Four other Ontario skips have finished runner-up at the Canadian women’s championship.

Name all four.

Answers

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6. Law won in 2000, Arsenault won in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004.

7. Linda Moore.

8. In 1985 at Winnipeg.

9. Cathy (Borst) King.

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Page 14

HeartChart

Editor: Larry Wood

Associate Editor: Todd Kimberley

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Sayonara, folks . . . we’re outta here HeartChart staff

A

h yes, there’s something you should know about this estimable news sheet to which you’ve subscribed the past nine days.

What’s that? Well, simply, it never gets the final story. Had it twice over five events in 20 years, is all.

And certainly you won’t get it this year, either. Sorry about that.

The HeartChart, you see, does not publish on the post-Scotties Monday. The way the Sault Ste. Marie organizing committee figures it, if we’re over budget after nine days, we won’t be going for 10.

There’s something else you should know. This publication would not exist without the efforts of the Soo organizing committee, the Canadian Curling Association and its spon-

sors. Between them, they fund the whole shebang. So, save a cheer, also a tiger, for them.

Now, what we’re asking from you today is this. We set up today’s championship final match in this last edition. Hereafter, you’re on your own. The name of the winner of the 2010 Scotties will not be recorded for posterity in the HeartChart. At least, not before the initial issue of the 2011 competition in beautiful downtown Charlottetown.

Meantime, it has been a chunk of heaven, folks. We at the Chart would like to thank you for your interest.

We’d like to thank all the competitors for their time and courtesy. We’d like to thank our supporters for theirs.

And we’d especially, also specifically, like to thank our volunteer columnist-forthe-week Jim Cronin for a job well done, and the gang

at the Sault Star for the jobs they’ve performed on our behalf.

Then there are some wonderful people who kept us company in the media work room where ace lensman Neil MacEwan held court daily. He was joined by a bevy of ultra-helpful beauties — Elizabeth Iles, Loretta O’Neill, Marg Turner, Christine Ciccimiglio, Jacey Watson, Jo-Anne Fischer, Marilyn Schatzler and Susan Mackan, all of whom are in tune with the restaurant scene in their home burg.

Thanks, too, to Crusty McNabb and Andy Henry in the event office, not to mention an always-friendly gang of drivers.

What else is there to say?

Have a good final day and don’t forget to reserve early for the 2011 bash in friendly Spud Island. This one, you won’t want to miss.

Cheers.

Sunday, February 7, 2010 Bean, David Cochrane, Brenda Knapp, Janice McClelland-Macphail, Linda Sutton, Cynthia Wissell, Wayne Arcangeletti, Marie Beaton, Alison Conlin, Dennis Farrell, Suzanne Hapanovich, Cheryl Kraushaar, Amelia McClenaghan, Bonnie Paat, Brenda Sachro, Nancy Suurna, Larry Woods, Don Ballstadt, Lori Belec, Peter Constable, David Fenos, Marisa Harpwood, Gerald Kuuskman, Tom McCowatt, Ron Palumbo, Mark Sadowski, Don Swystun, Karen Wootton, Linda Chanas, Alfea Bell, Milton Cook, Dora Ferguson, Barbara Hart, Mary McDermott, Scott Paquette, Laura Santelli, Anthony Symboluk, Harry Wychopen, Brian Coulterman, Tom Bellerose, Erin Cooper, Ron Ferguson, Sandra Hay, Sara McDougall, Cragg Paradis, Ann Schatzler, Marilyn Dose, Robin Beny , Jane Couch, Bev Ferguson-Mowat, Joyce Hazelton, Jacqueline Laderoute, Beth McDougall, Lilliian Paradis, Sean Scheifele, Betty Tadashore, Art Young, Laurel Dovigi, Jan Bertolo, Vic Coulter, Donna Fillion, Barbara Hennessey, Paul Laderoute, Mike McFarling, Don Parlow, Randy Schnablegger, John Taillefer, Michele Elliott, Rick Besner, Yvan Coulter, Randa

Fillion, Suzanne Herriman, Tracey Lajoie, Debbie McFarling, Jennifer Perry, Jo-anne Scornaiencki, Amber Tarchuk, Maxene Zaharuk, Paula Fisher, Ian Best, Jim Coulterman, Mary Fischer, Jo-Anne Hewitt, William Laliberte, Richard McGregor, Edith Phillips, Halga Scott, Bev Taylor, Dianne Zaharuk, Sasha Harris, Anne Best, Patti Court, Brian Fischer, Sarah Hill, Alice Landon, Bill Mckinnon, Paula Planting, Dagmar Scott, Gary Taylor, Jean Zeppa, Joanne Iles, Elizabeth Betts, Lloyd Court, Margie Fisher, Gladys Hill, Jim Lavallee, Derrick McLarty, Ian Plumpton, Eileen Scott, Maureen Thomas, Carol Zultek, Peter Kells, Margo Bishop, Catherine Coventry, Kerry Fisher, Grant Hill, Susan Lawson, Grant McLean, Bob Possamai, Donna Seccariccia, Marty Thomas, Ralph Kerr, Bill Bishop, Wayne Coventry, Mary Fisher, Ken Hillstrom, Keith Lee, Merlene McLean, Colleen Preston, Kim Servant, Blythe Thorold, Rick King, Nancy Blair, Don Crispell, Robert Flaxey, Andree Hladki, Pina Lehela, Ago McLean, Murray Preston, Lorie Shannon, Tom Thorp, Marie

Page 15 Litalien, Andre Blair, Eleanor Crispell, Ruth Flood, Noella Holmes, Beverley Lewis, Robert (Bob) Mcleod, Clara Prokopchuk, Paul Sharp, Gordon Traynor, Gloria Marshall, Diane Blais, Lisa Cronin, Jim Fortais, Margaret Hunt, Lorri Linklater Halverson, Cheryl McMenemy, Bob Psota, Eva Shaule, Carole Traynor, Patrick

Punkari, Carl Simon, George Triskle, Marlene McLellan, Kelly Boston, Andy Cupido, Tony French, Peter Livingston, Warden Meierhoff, Carl Purnis, William Simpson, Gordon Trus, Don Randa, Sandra Bouffard, Michel Fulcher, Les Ingram, Dorothy Loxton, Donna Metcalfe, Lindsay Purvis, Marie Sinclair, Bob Turner, Marg

Solomon, Dave Briel, Patricia Davies, Jim Gabora, Karen Jacques, Linda Lyons, Barbara Miket, Mike Slack, Wendy Twentyman, Paola Stewart, Helen Brown, Charlie Dawson, Laurie Gagnon, Lona Jamieson, Peter Lysiak, Bernie Miller, Janice Rajala, Maxine Sloane, Ann Tyrrel, David Valade, Bob Brown, Diane

Deplonty, Amelia Gallion, Sheilah Johns, Mary MacDonald, Patti Morley, Lorrie Ramsay, Sandra Smith, Glenna Valiquette, Hillie Volunteers Buchan, Chris Deplonty, Gerald Gallivan, Karen Johns, Melanie MacEwan, Neil Mortimore, Diane Randa, Craig Smith, Karen Vance, Rosanne Buconjic, Joan Dicarlo, Barb Gemmell, Al

A big thanks to all our Soo volunteers!

The Scott Tournament of Hearts committee would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to make the 2010 Canadian women’s curling championship such a success!

McCarthy, Harold Bois, Keith Cronin, Rhonda Fortin, Chris Huntley, Gary Litalien, Anita McMenemy, Lee Punkari, Brett Shell, Norma Trick, Max McClenaghan, John Borean, Ricky Crowle, Janice Fraser, Janette Hyde, Ray Livingston, Laureen Medaglia, Gino

Friends of the Scotties A Thymely Affair Arthur Funeral Home Avery Construction & Transportation Jet Ice Ltd McDougall Energy Rowswell & Associates Engineers Ltd S & T Group

Robb, Willie Braido, Enrica Davey, Steve Furber, Andrea Ingram, Kathryn Luomala, Paul Mick, Gail Sinclair, Liliane Turyk, Rose Ann Scott, Terry Braido, JJ Davies, Brenda Lynn, Tom Micucci, Helen Quinton, Curtis Slack, James/Jim Twentyman, Deanna

Dearing, Brent Gair, Jessica Janveau, Romeo Lysiak, Judy Miller, Phil Rajala, Timo Smalec, Mary Tyynela, Pentti Walker, Scott Bruni, Don Denneny, Pat Galizia, Tracy Jefferson, Cameron Miners, Lindsay Ralph, Susan Smith, Donna Bryan, Todd

Johns, Wayne Mackan, Susan Murphy, Colleen Randa, Tim Smith, Mary Vance, Steve Agawa, Joy Burch, Lisa Dickson, Kathy Gemmell, Maymar Johnson, Jesse MacKay, Austin Murray, J. Dennis Reid, Kay Smith, Peter Vanderburg, Sharon Agnew, William

Burnett, Dave DiPasquale, Kaaren Gignac, Francine Johnson, Sandra MacKay, Elaine Myers, Susan Reynolds, Betty Smith, Susan Vernelli, Charles Ahde, Delvin DiPasquale, Kenny Gignac, Kim Johnson, Sandra MacKenzie, Helga Richard, Candy Sonke, Patti Vernelli, Miriam Ahde, Linda Cain, Don Discher, Don Gillespie, Christine Johnstone, Ed MacLeod, Florence Naphan, Carol Rimmer, Nelda Spencer, Diane Vernelli, Vince Allen, Vicki Calam, Henrietta Doiron, Jessie Gillespie, Scott Johnstone, George Mandolesi, Theresa Napierkoski, Mary Grace Robbins, W. Harvey Spencer, Reg Vieira, Paul Amadio, Ron Cappellani, Debra Dottor, Ronald Gillespie, Terry Jubinville, Jerry Manson, Jeff Nash, William Robertson, Christine Springall, Lorie Vinette, TiJean Amaroso, Alan Carbone, Brenda Duchesne, Karen Graham, Jim Marinelli, Cathy Neufeld, Rose Romanchuk, Ruth Steele, Wendy Amaroso, Debbie Caron, Kevin Duncan, Jim Gray, Doreen Kantovaara, Juha Mason, Dave Neufeld, Warren Rose, Duane Stefanizzi, Silvia Ward, Marlene Antoniow, Dave Cathrae, Pam Dunseath, Bill Gray, Jerry Kantovaara, Mary

Mason, Lisa Nielsen, Linda Rosmus, Brian Stewart, Beverly Ward, Stan Arcangeletti, Jim Cathrae, Rick Duquette, Susan Greco, Alan Kates, Paul Mauro, Tom Ross, Margaret Stewart, David Watson, Jacey Armstrong, Sonnie Caughill, Marcia Durand, Lynn Greco, Debbie Kells, Ernest May, Karen O’Neill, Loretta Rousselle, Wilfred Stewart, Eva Whalen, Barbara Arnason, Alice Cave, Bruce Grenier, Ken Kelly, Bill McAuley, Sonja Oikari, Melissa Rutledge, Kevin Stiles, Jim Wiemer, Karen Atkins, Lori Cembal, Patricia Elliott, Terri Grisdale, Gerry Kennedy, Karen McCarthy, Shirley Ollikainen, Gord Rutledge, Michelle Summers, Kathryn Wierzbicki, Carol Avery, Laura Clayton, Marcella Esposti, Susan Guest, Brian Kennedy, Marvin McClelland, Christie Ollikainen, Jillian Summers, Steve Willet, Jody Clendenning, Alan Esson, Anita Guest, Dorothy King, Gary McClelland, Deborah Wills, Bert Bahun, Paul Clouston, Wendy Evans, Hugh King, Marcy McClelland, Wayne Wilson, Ruth Ballstadt, Donna Coccimiglio, Christine Kinsman, Dana Winch, Charlotte Barbeau-Gough, Gail Coccimiglio, Stefanie Kirby, Eric Wissell, Nancy

Page 16

HeartChart

End of the road for West Coast crew Host Ontario edges B.C. in Page 3-4 tilt Larry Wood HeartChart Editor

O

ntario champion Krista McCarville of Thunder Bay succeeded in winning the battle of rock placement at the Essar Centre on Saturday afternoon. The crowd favourites advanced to the Scotties Tournament Of Hearts semi-final with a 6-4 victory over two-time champion Kelly Scott of Kelowna in the sudden-death Page Three-Four playoff debate.

Chasing after yielding a key go-ahead deuce in the seventh end, Scott and her teammates found themselves facing a group

of shotmaking piranhas in the final three ends as they failed to battle their way into the contest.

At the conclusion, McCarville clicked on a routine double-kill with her last rock to preserve the decision.

“It was a pretty easy shot for the win,” said McCarville, who directed third Tara George, second Ashley Miharija and lead Kari MacLean. “I was happy about that.”

“The key draw was ours in nine,” said McCarville.

“We had to go wide and that’s always tough finding the weight — you know it’s quicker out there but you don’t know how much quicker so I was really happy to see that one bend in to catch the four-foot.

“We’re excited but we have to realize this isn’t over, so we need a rest and

get right back at it.

“I missed a deuce earlier in the game by inches and that was pretty big so, yeah, the seventh was huge.”

Scott agreed her conqueror played to its potential.

“They could go all the way,” she said.

Neither team appeared interested in mixing it up in the early going. The first six ends featured defensive strategy, prompted by the odd poor placement that could have affected strategy.

Square going to the seventh, Scott pulled the string on her last in-turn follow behind a guard leaving McCarville an out-turn to the four-foot for a go-ahead two.

“We wanted to force them in that end. Giving her the deuce wasn’t in the plan,” admitted Scott.

In the eighth, British Columbia needed a roll to set

up a responding deuce but failed to get the placement and Scott needed a four-foot draw for a single. But McCarville matched that in the ninth with her final draw to retain the cushion.

In the climactic exchange, Scott had several opportunities to spread a pair in the rings but B.C. failed to place the rocks to her advantage.

“It was a battle all week,” said Scott.

“We weren’t at our best today. We really didn’t develop a lot of confidence.

It was a slow game to get going and we couldn’t cap it off in the end.

“It wasn’t the final game we lost. We’d still had our work cut out.”

Disappointing?

“Yes, that we didn’t play to our potential,” said the petite B.C skip. “But I’m proud of the team, especial-

ly breaking in a new lead.

We didn’t change the lineup to win, we made it because we had to make it, and with

the long term in mind.

“So I think there’s still a lot of curling left for all of us.”

From left, Jacquie Armstrong, Sasha Carter and Jeanna Schraeder of B.C. were ousted by Ontario.

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