![]() Team Christina Black (Picture: Team Black) is off to the 2022 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, after winning the Nova Scotia Scotties Open in Berwick. By: Dylan Chenier The 2022 Scotties Tournmanet of Hearts field is beginning to take shape after Christina Black earned the right to represent the province of Nova Scotia at the national women's championship. Black's rink, with third Jenn Baxter, second Karlee Jones, and lead Shelly Barker, won the provincial title in a unique triple round format. After winning their first two qualifying draws, Black collided with 2021 Nova Scotia representatives Team Brothers in a third qualifier on Saturday afternoon, a victory would earn them the title outright, negating the need for a championship round. Team Black opened the game with a score of one in the first end, after starting the draw with the hammer. Brothers answered right back in the second, scoring an impressive three points. In the third end, Team Black was once again forced to the single, trailing Brothers 3-2 after three ends. However, Black would begin to take control of the draw by stealing two points in the fourth and a single in the fifth, taking a 5-3 lead at the fifth end break. Team Brothers would return from the break scoring a much-needed deuce, tying the game up at five apiece. In the seventh end, Black was forced to a single point, taking the lead 6-5. However, the lead was short-lived as Brothers responded in the eighth by scoring one. A single in the ninth end put Black's rink back on top with one end to go. In the tenth and final end, Team Black stole one, taking the victory 8-6. The win marks the first provincial title for Christina Black, several of her teammates previously won the event as members of Marry-Ann Arsenault's rink before Arsenault departed Nova Scotia for BC after the 2020 tournament. Team Black will get ready for the national Scotties, which are scheduled to run from January 28th to February 6th in Thunder Bay, Ontario. |