SASKATOON — The playoff picture has shaped up for the Humpty’s Champions Cup with the quarterfinal matches set at Merlis Belsher Place.
Winnipeg’s Team Allison Flaxey ousted Calgary’s Team Chelsea Carey 9-6 in an extra end during Saturday’s tiebreaker draw to advance to the women’s quarterfinals.
The Scotties Tournament of Hearts champion Carey drew to the button with her last and looked to steal a victory for a third time but the magic ran out as Edmonton’s Laura Walker, who is subbing at skip for Flaxey this week, connected with the short raise takeout with the final rock to remove it and score three.
Team Flaxey plays Sweden’s Team Anna Hasselborg in the quarterfinals. The reigning Olympic gold medallists have Scotland’s Eve Muirhead subbing at skip this week with Hasselborg away at the world mixed doubles championship.
Team Alina Kovaleva of Russia topped Team Jamie Sinclair of the United States 9-6 in an extra end and Winnipeg’s Team Jennifer Jones pulled off the double takeout to score two points in the eighth end to edge Team Casey Scheidegger of Lethbridge, Alta., 7-6 in the two Friday evening tiebreakers. Six teams had tied for the three final playoff spots with identical 2-2 records.
Jones faces No. 1 seed Team Rachel Homan (4-0) of Ottawa, Kovaleva collides with Team Kerri Einarson (3-1) of Gimli, Man., and Team Robyn Silvernagle (3-1) of North Battleford, Sask., takes on world champions Team Silvana Tirinzoni (3-1) of Switzerland.
[relatedlinks]
Meanwhile, Team Brad Jacobs of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., bounced Regina’s Team Matt Dunstone in a 6-3 set during the lone men’s tiebreaker. Jacobs will play undefeated Team Brendan Bottcher (4-0) of Edmonton in the quarterfinals.
Toronto’s Team John Epping (2-2) takes on Team Niklas Edin (4-0) of Sweden, Team John Shuster (3-1) of the United States goes up against Scotland’s Team Bruce Mouat (3-1) and Team Brad Gushue (3-1) of St. John’s, N.L., meets against Calgary’s Team Kevin Koe (3-1).
The women’s quarterfinals kick off playoff coverage at Noon CST (2 p.m. ET) on Sportsnet 360 and online via Sportsnet NOW (Canada) and Yare (international).
The men’s quarterfinals are at 4 p.m. CST (6 p.m. ET; Sportsnet 360) followed by the men’s and women’s semifinals at 8 p.m. CST (10 p.m. ET; Sportsnet 360).
Both finals are scheduled for Sunday.
Notes: The Humpty’s Champions Cup is the seventh and final Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling event of the season. Teams had to win a top tour event in order to qualify for the event. … The total purse is $250,000, split evenly between the men’s and women’s divisions, with the winners earning $40,000. … A new rule is being tested at the event where teams cannot perform tick shots on rocks sitting on the centre line during the eighth and extra ends.