Wheels Fall Off Again: Englot Needs Six In A Row

In her fourth game at the 2009 Manitoba Lotteries Women's Curling Classic, Michelle Englot got off to a fine start and led, 4-2, after three ends against Thunder Bay's Krista McCarville.

But McCarville scored 3 in the fourth for a 5-4 lead, and Englot never scored again, giving up four stolen points in the next three ends en route to a 9-4 defeat.

Englot now drops to the C event, where she needs to win three games in a row on Sunday to qualify for Monday's playoffs.

The turnabout in this game was eerily reminiscent of Friday evening's game against Holly Scott, in which Englot started strong, gave up a big end early, and never managed to score another point.

Friends and fans of the Englot team will be hoping for a repeat of a different sort. Last year in Winnipeg, the Englot four also found themselves in the C event with three games to play. But they won them all, then won three more in the playoffs to capture the title.

Once again, six wins in a row are required, beginning Sunday afternoon against Winnipeg's Linda Stewart.

The winner of the Stewart-Englot match will play either Marie-France Larouche or Janet Harvey, and the winner of that one will face either Cheryl Bernard, Cathy King, Karen Porritt or Lisa Blixhavn -- all this for one of the eight qualifying spots.

It should be interesting. I'll keep you posted.

Englot Rolls Again

Chelsea Carey and her Winnipeg foursome couldn't stop Michelle Englot and her team from Regina in the B event of the Manitoba Lotteries Women's Curling Classic.

Englot, who suffered a bad loss on Friday night, came back Saturday afternoon with a strong game featuring rock-solid defense and two multi-point steals.

The game lasted six ends, and the final score was 7-1, which is a winning margin of six points. Could the sixes be lined up for the Regina four again this year?

We shall see. Next up: Thunder Bay's Krista McCarville. And the winner of the Englot-McCarville match will continue against either Amber Holland or Jennifer Jones.

Things are getting interesting in Winnipeg. Personally, I hope Englot keeps rollin' those sixes. But we shall see.

To The 'B': Englot's Wheels Fall Off

Michelle Englot and her Regina team started well enough against Winnipeg's Holly Scott in their second game of the Manitoba Lotteries Women's Curling Classic on Friday evening. Englot opened with last rock, blanked the first end and scored a deuce in the second. But then the wheels fell off.

Scott scored four points in the third, and Englot never scored again, giving up five stolen points in three ends before pulling off the gloves on the wrong end of a 9-2 final score. Oops!

Fortunately it was only one game, and the defending champions have a chance to get rolling again tomorrow in the B event against another Winnipeg team, skipped by Chelsea Carey.

Enlgot Off To A Good Start In Winnipeg

Michelle Englot and her team from Regina have opened their title defense at the Manitoba Lotteries Women's Curling Classic in Winnipeg with a solid 5-2 win over Winipeg's Jill Thurston.

Englot, with third Deanna Doig, second Roberta Materi and lead Cindy Simmons, won the championship last year in spectacular fashion, putting together a 6-game winning streak that culminated in a 6-end, 6-0 victory over Kelly Scott.

There were no sixes on the board for them this time, but a couple of stolen ends did the trick. Team Englot stole a single in the fourth end to go up 3-1, and stole another single in the seventh to stretch their lead to 5-2. That was the final score of the game, and the Englot foursome will resume play later in the day with an A-event match against another Winnipeg team, skipped by Holly Scott.

Jennifer Jones Wins In Calgary

Jennifer Jones and her Canadian Champions from Winnipeg have won the 2009 Trail Appliances Curling Classic, with a 7-4 victory over the World Champions from China, skipped by Bingyu Wang. Jones got off to a 3-0 lead in the first end and never trailed, matching every point Wang scored from then on.

Jones had scored a 6-4 victory over Kerri Flett in the semi-final after knocking out Eve Belisle of Quebec in the quarterfinals with a 4-2 score.

Congratulations to Jennifer Jones and her teammates: Cathy Overton-Clapham, Jill Officer and Dawn Askin. They play extremely well extremely often, which is, of course, the only way to win multiple national championships.

And anyone who wants to wear the maple leaf in the Olympics is going to have to put their 'A' game and more up against this team -- probably more than once.

Not that all this wasn't obvious a long time ago ...

Home For Thanksgiving: Three And Out In Calgary

Three games were quite enough for Michelle Englot and her Regina team, who are finished in Calgary after a 7-4 loss in their C event match against Sherry Anderson.

Anderson got off to an early 3-0 lead, and although Englot fought back and got close, close is not enough -- especially at the level at which these ladies play the game.

So it's home for Thanksgiving and a weekend off before their next event, which will be in Winnipeg, starting October 23rd.

Late Early For Englot In Calgary

It got late very early in Calgary for Michelle Englot at the 2009 Trail Appliances Curling Classic.

Moe Meguro and her Japanese foursome scored a four-ender in the seventh, breaking open a 4-4 tie, cashing in an 8-4 win, and sending Englot and her Regina team directly to the C event, where they will face another Saskatchewan team -- and another tough one! -- skipped by Sherry Anderson.

Englot Starts With A Loss In Calgary

Michelle Englot and her Regina team have begun the 2009 Trail Appliances Curling Classic in Calgary with a loss against Andrea Kelly of New Brunswick.

Kelly stole two points in the fifth end, more than nullifying the single point Englot had stolen in the third, after which Kelly held on to the thinnest of advantages for a 5-4, extra-end victory.

Englot now faces Japan's Moe Meguro in the B event.

Amber Holland Wins The Schmirler

Amber Holland and her team from Kronau, Saskatchewan, won three games on Monday in Regina to capture the 2009 Schmirler Curling Classic, with its $12,000 first prize.

Holland opened the day with a 5-3 win against Janet Harvey, then followed with another 5-3 win, over Chantelle Eberle, to reach the final.

She completed the sweep with a 6-3 victory against Kelly Scott of Kelowna, who had defeated Heather Rankin and Tracy Streiffel earlier in the day.

Strieffel had knocked out Erika Brown and her American team to reach the semifinals; Eberle had reached her semifinal with an extra-end quarterfinal victory against Kristy Jenion.

Congratulations to Amber Holland and her teammates: third Kim Schneider, second Tammy Schneider and lead Heather Seeley. More congratulations to Kelly Scott and her team; we'll see both of these fine teams again at the Pre-Trials, if not before.

And I'll be back on Thanksgiving weekend with news from Calgary.

Harvey Beats Englot In A Close One

Michelle Englot finally had a close game on Sunday morning at the 2009 Schmirler Curling Classic, where her first four matches were short and one-sided. Englot got off to a good start against Janet Harvey, and held a 4-2 lead after 5 ends.

But Harvey scored four in the sixth to take a 6-4 lead with only two ends to play. And Englot cashed a deuce in the seventh to tie the score at 6-6, but Harvey had last rock coming home and emerged with a 7-6 victory.

With the win, Harvey finishes tied with Chantelle Eberle atop group E with 4-1 records, and both teams will advance to Monday's playoffs.

Englot winds up fourth in the group at 2-3, two games short of the playoffs but only one game behind the World Champions, and will return to the ice on October 9th in Calgary for the Trail Appliances Curling Classic.

World Champs Too Much For Englot Foursome

Chinese skip Bingyu Wang and her world championship team got off to a poor start against Regina's Michelle Englot on Saturday evening, falling behind 3-0 after the first end. But the Chinese team came roaring back, scoring 7 points in the remainder of the game while holding the Regina team to just a single, for a 7-4 win.

By cashing a couple of deuces and then stealing couple of ends (including another deuce), Wang blew a giant hole in Englot's playoff chances; Englot, now at 2-2, must win her final game against Janet Harvey, and get some help, to qualify for the playoffs.

We'll see whether they can do it.

Englot Beats Galusha, Now 2-1

Michelle Englot and her team from Regina made quick work of Yellowknife's Kerry Galusha in Saturday morning's play at the 2009 Schmirler Curling Classic, pushing their record to 2-1 and remaining in contention in what's emerging as a very tough group.

Galusha started well, stealing a single point to open the game. But then the wheels fell off Galusha, as Englot scored three in the second end, stole three in the third and stole two more in the fourth.

Galusha had seen enough at that point; make the final: 8 to 1.

Englot is still in the hunt for a playoff spot but has a long, tough row to hoe: her next opponents are the World Champions from China, skipped by Bingyu Wang, to be followed by the always-tough Janet Harvey of Winnipeg.

Link Sets Englot Back To 1-1

Kim Link and her team from Edmonton scored a quick victory over Michelle Englot and her Regina foursome in Friday night's action at the 2009 Schmirler Curling Classic.

Link stole three in the second end and scored four more in the fifth for an 8-2 victory. Englot and Link are both 1-1, Englot having beaten Chantelle Eberle earlier in the day, Link having lost against Janet Harvey.

Englot plays Kerry Galusha of Yellowknife in her next game, Saturday morning.

Englot Starts Well In 2009 Schmirler

Michelle Englot and her team from Regina got off to a good start in the big hometown spiel of the year, the Schmirler Curling Classic presented by Bank of America.

Englot and teammates Deanna Doig, Roberta Materi and Cindy Simmons broke open a 1-1 fourth-end tie with a score of four, then stole two singles for a 7-1 victory against Chantelle Eberle and her/ team, also from Regina, in Friday morning's opening draw.

Englot now enjoys a share of first place in the E pool, and will play four more games against the other teams in the pool, with Kim Link of Edmonton next on Friday evening.

Englot Set For Three Spiels In Warmup For Pre-Trials

Michelle Englot and her team will play in three cash spiels before the Pre-Trials event, and with any luck we will be able to follow their progress here.

They'll start in Regina on Friday, September 25th, with a match against Chantelle Eberle in the 2009 Schmirler Curling Classic.

Beginning on October 9th, they will be in Calgary for the 2009 Trail Appliances Curling Classic, and two weeks later they will take the ice in Winnipeg as defending champions in the 2009 Manitoba Lotteries Women's Curling Classic.

I'll do my best to keep you posted.

Englot Qualifies For Olympic Pre-Trials

The results of the Canadian Curling Association's Olympic Qualification Process are finally in, and for fans and friends of the Englot team, the news is very good!

Team Englot -- and 11 other teams -- have qualified for the pre-trials event to be held in Prince George in November, at which they will have an opportunity to qualify for the Olympic Trials, which will be held in Edmonton in December.

Four teams -- skipped by Jennifer Jones, Shannon Kleibrink, Cheryl Bernard and Stefanie Lawton -- have already qualified for the Trials and will bypass the pre-trials event.

They will be joined in Edmonton by the top four finishers from the pre-trials field, which will include: Kelly Scott, Sherry Middaugh, Marie-France Larouche, Heather Rankin, Rachel Homan, Crystal Webster, Cathy King, Krista McCarville, Amber Holland, Sherry Anderson, Eve Bélisle and -- hooray! -- Michelle Englot.

Congratulations once again to Michelle and her teammates: third Deanna Doig, second Roberta Materi, and lead Cindy Simmons.

To them, to their families and friends, and to everyone else whose summer holiday just got a little bit sunnier: Cheers!

We'll see you all again in the fall...

3 In 8th Is Golden: Jones Wins Players Championsip

Jennifer Jones scored a big three in the eighth end of the Players Championship final, erasing a 6-5 lead and emerging with an 8-6 win against Shannon Kleibrink.

Eight was a good total in this event: Jones reached the tournament final with an 8-4 win over Cheryl Bernard in the semifinal round, while Kleibrink earned her final berth with an 8-3 win over Kelly Scott.

Three was not so good. In the quarterfinals, Scott beat Krista McCarville, 6-3; Bernard beat Heather Rankin, 4-3; Kleibrink beat Rachel Homan, 5-3; and Jones beat Sherry Middaugh, 9-2.

Congratulations to the winners: skip Jennifer Jones, third Cathy Overton-Clapham, second Jill Officer and lead Dawn Askin. And congratulations to all the other teams who reached the quarterfinals (or better) in this very strong event.

We will see many of these teams again soon. (And the results may very well be different!) But first, does anyone need to be told to enjoy their summer?

Rankin Comeback Eliminates Englot

Heather Rankin scored a deuce in the seventh end to take a 6-5 lead, then stole a single in the eighth for a 7-5 win over Michelle Englot and one of the remaining qualifying spots at the Players Championship.

Englot and her teammates finish at 2-3 with the loss, and will watch the upcoming playoffs, hoping they have already done enough to earn a spot in the Olympic pre-trials.

It's been a tough year for the Englot team, with some fine performances ruined by one or two a really bad ends, but in some ways it's been a more productive campaign than 2007-8 (when they were provincial champions). I don't have to pretend to be neutral; I applaud their accomplishments and I hope they've done enough to stay in the hunt.

We'll know more soon enough.

Englot Drops A Close One

Regina's Michelle Englot battled back from a 4-1 deficit and took a late, slim lead against Kelowna's Kelly Scott on Friday afternoon at the Players Championship. But the lead was too slim, and the time was too late, and when Scott scored a deuce in the eighth end, it was good enough for an 8-7 victory.

Scott qualifies for the playoffs here with the win, while Englot drops to the "C" event for another chance to qualify -- and that game, which starts later this afternoon, will be against Heather Rankin.

Englot Edges Holland To Remain In "B" Event

Regina's Michelle Englot stole single points in the fifth and sixth ends, then took a single in the eighth for a tense 5-4 victory over Amber Holland and her team from Kronau, Saskatchewan.

Englot remains in the "B" event of the Players Championship with the win, and will play again on Friday afternoon against Kelly Scott. I will keep you posted.

Bernard Too Tough For Englot At Players

Cheryl Bernard scored early and often against Michelle Englot on Wednesday night, winning a quick 10-2 decision and sending Englot to the "B" event of the Players Championship.

The Englot foursome are now 1-1 and their next game will be Thursday afternoon, against another Saskatchewan team, skipped by Amber Holland.

Englot Starts Players Championship With A Win

Michelle Englot and her Regina team got off to a slow start against Medicine Hat's Crystal Webster, and trailed, 7-4 after five ends of the scheduled eight.

But Webster never scored again. Englot scored two in the sixth, stole two in the seventh, and stole three more in the eighth end for an 11-7 victory.

Next for Englot is a familiar foe: Cheryl Bernard, who also had a 7-4 lead but managed to hang onto it in defeating Barb Spencer.

It's a triple-knockout and Englot is still in the "A" event. I'll tell you more when I know more.

Kleibrink Takes Canada Cup

Shannon Kleibrink, down 4-3 playing the ninth end against Marie-France Larouche, scored a deuce to take the lead, then stole a single in the tenth to cement a 6-4 comeback and win the Canada Cup on Sunday morning.

It's another highlight in a fine season for the Alberta team, which has been nearly unbeatable for long stretches of this long season.

Congratulations to Shannon Kleibrink and her team: third Amy Nixon, second Bronwen Webster and lead Chelsey Bell.

Congratulations also to Larouche and her team of third Annie Lemay, second Joelle Sabourin and lead Veronique Brassard.

I'm sure we'll see both of these teams again before long.

Larouche Reaches Canada Cup Final

Marie France Larouche and her team from Quebec scored a 7-6, extra-end victory over Cheryl Bernard and her Alberta squad to reach the final of the Canada Cup in Yorkton.

Bernard, who started without last rock, trailed four times, and tied the game each time, but could never take the lead.

Larouche will meet another Alberta team, skipped by Shannon Kleibrink, in tomorrow morning's final.

Bernard Starts Too Fast For Englot

Cheryl Bernard stole a deuce in the first end and four more in the second, then hung on for an 8-5 win over Michelle Englot in the Page 2-vs-2 game of the Canada Cup in Yorkton.

Meanwhile, Shannon Kleibrink scored a 6-4 decision over Marie-France Larouche in the 1-vs-1 game to reach the event final. Bernard will face Larouche in the semifinal.

Congratulations to Michelle Englot and her teammates, third Deanna Doig, second Roberta Materi and lead Cindy Simmons, on reaching the final four at such an event.

And congratulations to Larouche, Bernard, Kleibrink and their teams, who have done even better.

Enlgot Wins Tie-Breaker!

Michelle Englot and her Regina team have captured the last remaining playoff spot in the Canada Cup with a 7-6, extra-end victory over Mary Anne Arsenault and her team from Halifax.

The game was a thriller, with the momentum -- and the lead -- shifting back and forth, and back again!

Englot started without last rock but limited Arsenault to a single in the first end, then blanked the second and scored three in the third, establishing a sliver of control.

But that didn't last long, as Arsenault cashed a deuce in the fourth and stole a single in the fifth to take a 4-3 lead at the half-way point.

That lead didn't last long either, as Englot tied it with a single in the sixth, and stole singles in ends seven and eight.

Up 6-4 and finally without last rock playing the ninth, Englot gave Arsenault another single point, to hold the lead and the hammer coming home. And now it was Arsenault's turn to steal a single, tying the game at 6-6 and forcing an extra end.

But the parade of steals was over (although the parade of singles was not), and Englot scored the final point, won the game and advanced to the playoffs.

It's been a bit of a grind for the Englot team, who had to sit all day and then play two games after supper. But they're still in with a shout, and they have another one before breakfast, this time against Cheryl Bernard.

Nothing ever gets easier.

Lawton Knocks Englot Into Tie-Breaker

Stefanie Lawton broke open a close game with consecutive steals in the 7th and 8th ends and handed Michelle Englot a tough 11-4 loss in Friday night's final round-robin draw at the Canada Cup in Yorkton.

It was a strong finish for the Lawton foursome, who started the event poorly but seem incapable of playing badly for more than about three games in a row. Even with the win, they finished out of the playoffs, tied for third place in Group B with a 2-3 record.

The loss dropped Englot into a tie with Mary Anne Arsenault for second place in Group A. Both teams finished the round-robin with 3-2 records, one game behind the group winner, Shannon Kleibrink. Kelly Scott finished fourth with a 2-3 record, and Sherry Middaugh rounded out the group at 0-5.

Kleibrink advances to the Page 1-vs-1 playoff game against Group B winner Marie France Larouche, who like Kleibrink finished at 4-1.

Second place in Group B went to Cheryl Bernard, who finished her round-robin at 3-2. And the other teams in Group B, skipped by Amber Holland, Cathy King and Stefanie Lawton, all shared third place at 2-3.

So it'll be Arsenault and Englot in a late-Friday-night tie-breaker, with the winner advancing to an early-Saturday-morning match with Bernard in the Page 2-vs-2 game.

The winner of the 1-1 game will get a spot in the final, and the loser of that game will play the winner of the 2-2 game in the semifinal. And I will return soonest, with news from the tie-breaker.

Englot Cruises Past Middaugh To Grab The 'A' Pool Lead

Michelle Englot stole a pair of three-enders against Sherry Middaugh on Thursday night, and left the ice early with a 9-3 win and a 3-1 record. The victory moves Englot to the top of the table in the 'A' pool, followed by Mary Anne Aresnault, Shannon Kleibrink, and Kelly Scott, who are all 2-1. Middaugh rounds out the pool at 0-4.

Englot plays again Friday evening against Stefanie Lawton, who is still winless in this event but will be a most formidable opponent. A win for the Englot squad will guarantee them at least a tie-breaker.

Englot Topples Arsenault To Share Top Spot

Michelle Englot got off to a fast start against Mary Anne Arsenault on Thursday afternoon, and weathered a strong comeback before scoring a deuce in the tenth end for a 7-5 victory. Englot's record improves to 2-1, tying Arsenault for a share of first place in the 'A' pool. Shannon Kleibrink, who beat Amber Holland in the afternoon, and Kelly Scott, who knocked off Cathy King in the morning, also share top billing, for the moment. All four teams lead winless Sherry Middaugh by two full games, with two games remaining for each team.

Englot resumes on Thursday evening against Middaugh.

In the 'B' pool, Marie-France Larouche remains unbeaten at 3-0, followed by Holland at 2-1. Cheryl Bernard and Cathy King are both 1-2, while Stefanie Lawton is still winless at 0-3. Englot finishes the preliminary round on Friday night against Lawton.

Kleibrink Too Much For Englot (This Time!)

Shannon Kleibrink avenged an early-season shutout loss with a six-end triumph over Michelle Englot in the fourth draw of the Canada Cup on Wednesday evening. Kleibrink scored two deuces and a three-ender to lead, 7-3 at the break, then stole two more to make the final score 9-3. Both teams are now 1-1, tied with Kelly Scott for second place in the 'A' pool. Mary Anne Arsenault leads the table with a 2-0 record, while Sherry Middaugh is 0-2.

Amber Holland and Marie-France Larouche lead the 'B' pool with 2-0 records; Cathy King is 1-1, and Cheryl Bernard and Stefanie Lawton are both 0-2.

Englot resumes tomorrow with games against Arsenault and Middaugh, before meeting Lawton in the final draw on Friday. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the playoffs.

Englot Off To A Great Start At Canada Cup

Michelle Englot, held to a game-tying single in the 10th end, stole the extra end to defeat Kelly Scott in opening-draw action at the Canada Cup in Yorkton this morning.

Englot now leads the 'A' pool with a 1-0 record; Scott and Sherry Middaugh are both 0-1, and the other teams in the pool -- skipped by Shannon Kleibrink and Mary Anne Arsenault -- are just getting started.

Each team will play five games: four in the pool and one cross-over. Englot resumes this evening against Kleibrink, plays Arsenault and Middaugh tomorrow, and finishes the preliminary round on Friday against defending champion Stefanie Lawton.

Lawton got off to a rough start this morning, losing 10-4 against Cathy King. King stole four ends worth six points as Lawton found the hammer toxic. Sometimes it goes that way. But only for a while, and the Lawton foursome will certainly be tough on Friday.

Amber Holland beat Cheryl Bernard, 8-5, in another 'B' pool match this morning, the same score by which Marie-France Larouche beat Middaugh in the morning's crossover game.

The top two teams from each pool will advance to a true Page Playoff, with the pool winners meeting for a spot in the final, while the pool runners-up meet for a spot in the semifinal. And those games will be on TSN later this weekend.

Englot To Play In Canada Cup

Team Canada's victory in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts sends them to the World Championship in Korea, which -- unfortunately -- conflicts with the Canada Cup, for which Jennifer Jones and her team had already qualified.

Fortunately, the team next in line for a berth in the Canada Cup just happens to be available. So when play begins on March 18th, Michelle Englot will be there, along with the rest of her team: Deanna Doig, Roberta Materi and Cindy Simmons.

Yorkton, Saskatchewan. March 18-22, 2009. Be there if you can.

Michelle starts at 12:30 Wednesday afternoon (local time) against Kelly Scott.

And I'll keep you posted.

Lawton Wins Provincial Championship

Rene Mietinnen defeated Jolene McIvor, 6-5, in the Page 3-4 game to reach the semifinal against Amber Holland, who lost, 7-3, in the Page 1-2 game against Stephanie Lawton, who remained undefeated in reaching the final.

In the semifinal, Mietinnen got off to a quick start and hung on for a 7-6 win against Amber Holland.

Lawton got off to a good start in the final and led, 5-2, at the break. Mietinnen tied the game with 3 in the 6th but Lawton blanked the 7th and scored three of her own in the 8th on the way to a 9-6 victory.

Congratulations to Stephanie Lawton third Marliese Kasner, second Sherri Singler and lead Lana Vey. And best of luck to them in Victoria.

McIvor, Mietinnen Grab Final Playoff Spots

Jolene McIvor stole three points in the 8th end to break up a close game and went on to defeat Michelle Englot in a 'C' event qualifier Saturday afternoon. The final score was 8-7, with Englot stealing two in the 10th as McIvor made an open hit against three for the win.

Rene Mietinnen defeated Sherry Anderson in the other 'C' qualifier. That game also ended up at 8-7 can, but it took an extra end to get there.

So McIvor will face Mietinnen in the Page 3-4 game. And the winner of that game will face the loser of the Lawton-Holland 1-2 game, in the semifinal.

It's a difficult ending for the Englot and Anderson teams, but there are so many good women's teams in Saskatchewan, and there's a difficult ending in store for all but one of them.

Congratulations to those teams still in the hunt; here's hoping the best of them will emerge with the championship.

Holland Defeats Englot In 'B' Final

Amber Holland stole three points in the 8th end of the 'B' final to break up a close game and hung on for an 8-5 victory. Holland advances to the Page 1-2 game against 'A' event winner Stephanie Lawton; Englot drops into one of two 'C' event qualifiers, Saturday afternoon against Jolene McIvor. The other 'C' qualifier pits Rene Mietinnen against Sherry Anderson; winners advance to the Page 3-4 game.

Englot Wins Again To Reach 'B' Final

Michelle Englot never trailed in her 'B' semifinal against Rene Miettinen on Friday evening, but she and her team from Regina still needed an extra end to win the game.

Englot led 3-0, 4-3, and 6-4, but Miettinen scrambled back to tie the score each time, stealing a single in the 10th to force an extra end.

But Englot scored two in the eleventh for an 8-6 victory and will face Amber Holland in final of the 'B' event Saturday morning.

Englot Rally Continues

Michelle Englot and her team from Regina continued to rebound after their opening loss with their second consecutive victory in the provincial championship in Swift Current. Thursday night they were in a tight game against Ros Stewart until the seventh end, when Englot made two terrific shots to count three points and take a two-point lead. Steals in the 8th and 9th ends cemented the win. The final score was 8-3.

Englot remains in the 'B' event and will face Rene Miettinen again, in a 'B' semifinal on Friday evening.

Sherry Anderson and Amber Holland, who both lost 'A' semifinals, will meed in Thursday evening's other 'B' event game. The winner of Anderson-Holland will face the winner of Meittinen-Englot in the 'B' final.

The 'A' event is complete, and Stefanie Lawton has won it, taking the 'A' final by a 10-2 score against Miettinen. Lawton now awaits the winner of the 'B' event in the "page playoff 1-2" game.

Englot Rallies For Convincing Win

Michelle Englot rebounded from her opening-game loss in Swift Current with a convincing 9-1 win over Sherrilee Orsted to remain in the 'B' event.

Enlgot gave up a steal in the first end, but nothing more. She cashed in a deuce in the second end, stole three straight singles, and then stole four more in the sixth end to put the game away.

Englot will play Ros Stewart on Thursday evening. And I will keep you posted.

Playdowns Start Badly For Englot In Swift Current

Michelle Englot and her team from Regina earned a bye to the provincial championship this year, which is a 12-team triple-knockout, and were seeded into the second round of the 'A' event.

But their first game spelled the end of the smooth sailing, as Rene Miettinen scored a deuce in the first end and stole another in the second on the way to an 8-end, 11-5 victory.

Miettinen had beaten Tracey Streifel in their first-round game, while Englot waited. Perhaps the wait was too long.

Englot will have to fight her way back from the 'B' event, beginning Thursday afternoon with a game against Sherrilee Orsted.

Lawton, Englot Advance To Provincials

From SaskCurl.com:

(Dec 24) The Saskatchewan Curling Association announced Tuesday that Stefanie Lawton of Saskatoon and Michelle Englot of Regina have earned automatic berths into the Scotties Women's Provincial Championship. The two teams earned the highest points on the Canadian Team Rankings System to advance. Lawton had 34 points while Englot had 30. Lawton and Englot will compete in the Provincial Championship in Swift Current, January 28th to February 1, 2009 under a new 12 team format.

I'll keep you posted.