Welcome curlers and fans
to the2012 Aktins Curling Supplies Charity Classic
Congratulations to Team Cameron - 2012 Atkins Curling Supplies Charity Classic CHAMPIONS! The Cameron team (Kate Cameron, Erika Sigurdson, Brandi Oliver, Lindsay Baldock) from the Stonewall Curling Club were 7-2 winners over the Einarson team (Kerri Einarson, Sara Van Walleghem, Liz Fyfe, Krysten Karwacki) representing Assiniboine Memorial. The turning point ended up being the steal of 3 in the third end. Einarson, having an open hit against three Cameron counters, had her rock overcurl and only nudge shot rock over while the shooter rolled out of play. In the sixth end, Cameron missed a runback for 5 but the deuce still solidified the game.
The playoffs started with a lot of the top seeds being eliminated in the first round. Top seeded qualifier Darcy Robertson was defeated in an extra end by the up-and-coming Kate Cameron team who was able to steal the winning point. Lisa DeRiviere's squad had a tough battle against Kerri Einarson's foursome with a 5-ender in the fourth being a major game changer. Defending champion Janet Harvey found herself tied coming home, without hammer, and wasn't able to stop Karen Fallis from scoring for the win. Barb Spencer is the only first place division qualifier to win her quarter-final, eliminating Shannon Birchard from the competition.
The semi-finals brought a rematch between Barb Spencer and Kerri Einarson who battled Sunday morning for top spot in their pool. This game had the opposite result, with Einarson edging Spencer in a last rock effort in the 8th. Kate Cameron was able to take advantage of opportunity in her game against Karen Fallis and kept their momentum from the tie break rolling.
A special thanks to each and every sponsor for supporting women's curling in Manitoba. It was a fabulous weekend with great shotmaking, and exciting match ups with so many games affecting playoff results. Thank you to all teams for your participation, and we hope to see you all back next year!!
Previous Updates
Update Oct 15: The championship game of the Oakbank Credit Union Playoff is underway between Team Cameron and Team Einarson. After 5 ends, Team Cameron leads 4-2 after stealing three in the third end. Live scoreboard available here.
Update Oct 15: The Oakbank Credit Union Playoff are underway. Top seed Darcy Robertson is facing the tie break winner, Kate Cameron. Four-time defending champion Janet Harvey is playing Karen Fallis, while Lisa DeRiviere is up against Kerri Einarson. Barb Spencer, now with her daughter as vice, is looking at the junior favourite Shannon Birchard.
Update Oct 14: All divisions are down to a final game to write the playoff picture. The picture is becoming clearer, but there are still numerous scenarios to make it interesting.
Spencer has clinched first in the Olson Division. Einarson will be fighting for the second playoff spot while Kozak hopes for an Einarson loss to force a tie break.
Harvey sits atop the Performance Division and has guaranteed themselves top spot but will be facing Thurston who is looking for a win to stay in the hunt. Cameron is up against Vandepoele and will take the second spot outright if they get the 'W.'
The Rockwatcher Divison has Robertson undefeated and has guaranteed themselves first place. This grouping has the most interesting scenario as the three teams tied at 2-2 all play different opponents and if they were all to lose, there is the possibility of a 5-way tie for second, making all teams still plausibly in playoff position. If any of the 2-2 teams (Brown, Rosser, Birchard) win, they will either get second or a tie break.
That being said, The McCaughans Divisions is also interesting as 5 teams have the possibility of finishing 3-2. DeRiviere and Fallis (3-1) are in must-win situations to guarantee moving on. Team Russia and Montford will try to put an end to it and force a tie break if they win. Kaatz needs to win and hope for one of the other teams to do the same to get involved in the log jam of potential tie breaks.
There have never been so many teams vying for spots in the Oakbank Credit Union Playoffs! Now is the time to come and cheer for your favourites!!
Update Oct 13: After 6 draws, divisions are starting to take shape. There are teams riding momentum and remaining undefeated while others are still looking for their first win - even though most games have been very closely contested. There has been great curling with a lot of rocks in play, very entertaining to watch - and there is still another day of round robin on Sunday - come down and cheer on the teams!
In the Olson Division, Spencer and Einarson are both undefeated. They will face each other Sunday morning at 9am and may very well determine 1st place in the pool.
In the Performance Division, Harvey is sitting at 3-0 trying to defend their title. Robertson has the same record in the Rockwatcher Division, alone at the top of the standings. There is a group of 4 behind each of those teams vying for the playoff spots or tie breaks.
In the McCaughans Eaves Division, DeRiviere is also undefeated but will be facing Team Russia in their only Sunday match at noon.
Most teams are still in the hunt for spots in the Oakbank Credit Union playoffs. It is looking like a few teams may have to battle through a tie break to get there and will make for a very interesting Sunday at East St Paul.
This year the event is now affiliated with the World Curling Tour and continues to be a gold event on the Manitoba Curling Tour. We are excited to have a full 24 team complement with a wealth of international and local talent, including numerous provincial champions. We welcome Team Russia (Olga Zyablikova) and Amy Wright from the United States. Watch out for 4-time Atkins Classic defending champion Janet Harvey, as well as former provincial representatives in Barb Spencer, Jill Thurston and Kerri Einarson. And, don't forget the young blood coming up from Juniors with Shannon Birchard, Alyssa Vandepoele, Kate Cameron and Selena Kaatz! With the round robin format, anybody can get on a roll and make it to the finals, always making for an exciting weekend of competition!
Opening draws commence at 3:00pm on Friday, October 12 at the East St Paul Curling Club. Top seeds Janet Harvey, Olga Zyablikova, Lisa DeRiviere and Jill Thurston will take to the ice with local favourite Kim Link. The next draw at 6:00 will include number one seed Barb Spencer, as well as Darcy Robertson, Joelle Brown and Amy Wright. Spectators are welcome with no charge, come out to see some great curling and cheer on your favourite team!
This year's charity is KidSport, supporting so ALL kids can play no matter their backround. ***Please bring any used or new sporting equipment to the curling rink where there will be a drop off site to assist kids and communities that don't have access to their own.***