MOOSE JAW, Sask. — P.E.I. needs to win and get some help Friday to advance to the playoffs at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Moose Jaw, Sask.
The Suzanne Birt-skipped rink from the Montague Curling Club enters Friday’s play 5-4 and is tied for fifth with Saskatchewan. Ontario, Manitoba and the wild card entry are atop the standings at 8-1 with Northern Ontario (6-3) fourth.
The top four teams advance to the playoffs.
The Island squad of vice-skip Marie Christianson, second Meaghan Hughes, lead Michelle McQuaid and coach Mitch O’Shea plays Northern Ontario today at 2:30 p.m. and Canada (4-5) at 8:30 p.m.
P.E.I. lost both games to start the championship round on Thursday, losing 8-7 to Saskatchewan and 9-4 in nine ends to Manitoba.
Saskatchewan scored four in the fifth to take a 5-2 lead. P.E.I. responded with a deuce in the sixth and Saskatchewan counted one in the seventh to lead 6-4. P.E.I. went ahead 7-6 with three in the eighth, but Saskatchewan tied it in the ninth and stole one for the win in the 10th.
Manitoba jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first end in the evening draw. They increased their lead to 6-2 in the fifth. The teams traded singles the next three ends before Manitoba ended it with a deuce in the ninth.
