Yes, Selena Njegovan is calling the shots. Kailtlyn Lawes is tasked with throwing last rocks. (ie. 4th stone)
When Kaitlyn was drafted onto Team Jennifer Jones (as third) she replaced a too-vocal third named Cathy Overton-Clapham. Jones and Overton-Clapham were often at odds, even though Cathy O-C was a really good third player. By bringing on Young Kaitlyn, they solved the Cathy O. problem. Kaitlyn was subservient to Jones, as she should have been but never really participated in strategy discussions. Jones always relying on her long-time 2nd, Jill Officer for strategy. In the end, Lawes curled several years for Jones, basically a mechanic who rarely designed the machine.
Selena Njgevan was Kerri Einarson’s 3rd for a few years until being discarded. She’s not a strategic genius but certainly more adept than Einarson. NB. There was only one Jennifer Jones, a monster strategist. Not even the great Rachel Homan is in Jones’s league as strategist, although Homan passed Jones in technical skill (shot-making) a few years ago.
Yeah, i knew the history of the Jones team and the switch from C O-C to Lawes and i rememebr it being a big deal at the time, like Jones was discarding C O-Clapham after having success. It was the right move due to the personality clash and as time has passed we see many players switching teams and provinces now, happens all the time. Jones was a master strategist but as time progressed her shot making slipped whereas Homan was coming in to her own, she rarely misses any shots and tough ones at that.
Lawes and Einarson taking care of business in a fairly week Pool A while Beth Peterson is in control of a much more experienced Pool B.
Manitoba, as usual, is repping really well in the Scotties, especially in the absence of Homan, who has the only team seemingly able to take out all of the Manitoba teams with consistency.
1-3 games left in round robin and it really looks like a scrap for 3rd place in both pools.
Pretty much a given that the event is wide open. Homan was a serial killer of good curling teams so her forced abcense tosses things around. Could be anyone of: Einarson, Lawes, Peterson, Black, perhaps even the Ontario ladies - Black is sneaky good, she could really damage Einarson or Lawes if she gets into the FINAL 3. Black doesn’t look very good on the ice, but she’s surrounded by a team of power curlers, perhaps the best front end at the event and a superb third. Einarson is plagued by pressure - if Black (or someone else) can put heavy pressure on Einarson & Sweeting they’ll wilt. Lawes is totally unproven as a skip in big games. Peterson w/ Kelsey Calvert (aka Roque) tossing skip rocks is also unproven.
Appears Krista Scharf and the BC fashion model played themselves out of the playoffs.
Both Alberta squads still alive for playoff positions (Skrilik & Sturmay) so either could present traps for the Manitoba squads.
But again, Homan is the Queen of Canadian Women’s Curling - the rest of them - basically pygmies.
From what i’ve seen i don’t think it’s a slam dunk that Einarson wins the Scotties, not saying that she was a sure thing beforehand but she does have the most stellar Scotties curling resume of all the contestants. I could see any of the playoff teams knocking off any other team, it is as you say wide open and compelling.
The BC skip (Reese-Hansen) is a bit of a fashion model/diva type skip. But she knocked off a couple really good BC teams to get to Toronto. Kinda crashed in her first 3 or 4 games. Black doesn’t have much personality but she sports a great front end plus an extremely serviceable and tested 3rd. I was surprised Kaitlyn Lawes was able to withstand her earlier today.
Not quite as surprised Kerri Einarson slid by Kelcey Calvert - who’s turned into a one-man (woman) show after the team deposed the hyperactive Beth Peterson to 3rd. Calvert’s team actually out-curled Einarson but wasn’t able to maneouvre past their Manitoba sisters.
Yes, as a team the Peterson rink was the better team overall but not when it counted which was on the scoreboard. I thought they made a couple questionable decisions, going for one instead of trying the harder shot for two, but that’s easy for me to say lying on my couch, haha.
I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by the Lawes foursome and in particular Lawes herself. All week long when required to make the tough shots she has risen to the occasion time and time again. It also helps that her 3rd Njegovan has been lights out as well, 1st team all star this week.
one thing I dont get in curling. Can the first person with the hammer just keep knocking out every oppositions rock until the last end. I am not sure I understand why the person with the hammer ever allows 2+ points steals? Me thinks they just trying to be to fancy with their strategy and shots.
It used to be that way, so they developed the four-rock rule, or Free Guard Zone (FGZ) rule
Any stone resting in the area between the hog line and the tee line (excluding the house) cannot be removed from play by the opposing team until the first four stones of an end have been delivered. If a violation occurs, the, delivered stone is removed, and the displaced guard is replaced.
Rocks off the rings in front of the house an be gently moved but not knocked out. Rocks in or touching the rings can be knocked out
Black is sneaky good. Might be the only one who could topple the mighty Swiss led by Alina Patz. Black also capable of inflicting psychological torment to opponents. She’s done it to a few - almost pulled it off vs. Homan at the Olympic Trials.
Black should polish off the Alberta girls this afternoon - I’d then favor her to take out the loser of Lawes vs. Einarson later tonite.
Thus, I’ve got Black sailing thru to the Finals. Prolly facing Einarson, but you never know. Black’s sneakiness and tart comments will put Einarson on edge. Lawes tends to be in her own world. Doesn’t get bothered by much.
Sure got dat one wrong. I know Black is a superior shot-smith to Sturmay but didn’t realize how amazing Danielle Schneiman (Sturmay’s 3rd) was. She fiercely out-dueled the Nova Scotia 3rd Jill Brothers and essentially is the leader of Team Sturmay.
I’m sure Lawes or Einarson love the fact that they’ve managed to dodge Black - but now Shneiman & Sturmay await.