Skip Sherry Anderson and her teammates that made up this years Team Saskatchewan, saw an unceremonious ending to their Scotties Tournament of Hearts run on Saturday night. Saskatchewan entered the playoff round finishing first place in Pool B, but dropped four straight when it mattered as they eventually conceded both matches on day two.
Still, the Delisle, Saskatchewan native was very impressed with the teams play heading into the championship pool at 6-2.
“We had our moments” reflected Anderson while the team made their way home, “We could have easily been 7-1 (maybe even 8-0) after the first pool. We needed to be a little more consistent during the last four games.”
Anderson thought her team started well at times, but she thought back to a specific moment in their first playoff-pool 10-6 loss against the eventual champions in Team Canada, and now back-to-back champion skip Kerri Einarson.
“I gave up a bad steal of a couple in 5, our first game against Einarson. Just a little up and down (all tournament).”
With the team looking to rebound after the tough 10-6 loss to Team Canada, they were forced to pivot once again with their skip taking that night’s action off due to injury. This cleared the path for newly added team 5th Amber Holland, to prove herself a worthy addition.
“My back and leg were bothering me so I did some rehab on it, went to the physio they had there, and I was able to play the next day. (Amber) filled in very well.” said Anderson.
An exciting 10-9 final that night against Beth Peterson and Wild Card Rink 3, left Team Saskatchewan with their second loss in a row heading into elimination day. Saskatchewan would fall 9-4 to Alberta, and 7-2 to Ontario the next day out in conceded games.
Despite the team’s finishing record, it was a good experience for everyone involved. The team came out with some great curling in the preliminary round; and the rest of the Saskatchewan team, first time Scotties participants, took in every moment of it.
“I think it was pretty much even, they all soaked it in pretty good. They were pretty pumped to play in it, and they enjoyed the experience and the competition. I’m sure that will give them the drive to get back there again, and represent their province.” said Anderson.
As for her own personal experience, Anderson’s 10th appearance at the Canadian championship likely wont be forgotten.
“Oh I will remember it. It was really just different to start”
She detailed her week stay in Calgary and how they were forced to quarantine, and routinely get tested. That aspect of things was surely different, but when the curling got going, Anderson said the atmosphere felt right back to normal.
“You don’t normally have to do that (at the Scotties),” chuckled Anderson, “Once the curling got fully underway, it was pretty much like the Scotties is. Your basically just going to the rink, curling, eating, going to sleep. Those are pretty much your activities anyway. It wasn’t that far off once we got full swing into the event.”
Though Anderson was obviously disappointed to be going home, especially on a losing note, she was happy the team could at least make the championship pool and play 4 more games.
“There was lots of good days, and it can always go one way or another, but it would have been nice to finish on a winning note.”
Team Saskatchewan's final two opponents of their tournament were the two participants in Sunday night's final, as Kerri Einarson with Team Canada defended her national title by defeating Ontario’s Rachel Homan, who earned a bye to the championship. The final score was 9-7.
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Thu, Apr 25, 9:30 AM
