Skrlik Secures Second!

Calgary’s Team Skrlik locks up second in Pool A, earns 1 vs 2 qualifier berth at 2025 Scotties

Who was going to be part of Pool A’s playoff picture had already come to light on Wednesday evening at the 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, and yet, the atmosphere for Pool A’s final draw Thursday afternoon had palpable tension.

It was clear that Canada’s Team Rachel Homan (8-0; Ottawa) had locked up the pool’s top spot and would be joined in the playoff picture by Alberta’s Team Kayla Skrlik (6-2; Calgary) and British Columbia’s Team Corryn Brown (6-2; Kamloops)

But there was still plenty left to play for Thursday, for both Team Brown and Team Skrlik, since the difference between a second- and third-place finish has massive implications.

The playoff format sees the first-place team from Pool A meeting second place from Pool B, and vice versa, in the first round of the playoffs Friday at 1 p.m. (all times Eastern), with the winners going directly to the Page playoff 1-2 game, while the losers meet the third-place finishers in the pools Friday at 7 p.m. The winners of those games will advance to the Page playoff 3-4 game.

That means that a third-place finish in pool play sees your back against the wall in an elimination game, while a second-place finish grants you a second life.

Team Skrlik held the head-to-head tiebreaker in its hand via a 9-8 win in Draw 3 over Team Brown last Saturday, needing only a Thursday afternoon win to second the second-place berth.

The Calgary crew — comprising third Margot Flemming, second Ashton Skrlik, lead/vice-skip Geri-Lynn Ramsay, alternate Crystal Rumberg and coach Shannon Kleibrink — made no mistake, dispatching Nunavut’s Team Julia Weagle (0-8; Iqaluit) 7-4.

“It was really important,” said Skrlik. “We watched Corryn Brown finish her game in eight ends, so we knew we needed to win ours to be in contention for 1-2 qualifier.”

Team Nunavut gave Skrlik a tough battle in the process.

“We did it,” said Skrlik. “It’s always a little but close and went right down to the wire; almost the last rock.”

While a playoff berth into the 1 vs 2 qualifier match is a prize unto itself, qualifying for the playoffs at the 2025 Scotties has greater implications than just this event.

“So many things were on the line for us at this Scotties,” said Skrlik. “We’re looking for potentially a 2026 Scotties berth, we’re looking for a Trials berth right now, Grand Slam qualifications, so to be in the playoffs at the Scotties means a lot for our future going forward. There’s a lot on the line and we knew it, so just happy to be here.”

The win rendered Team Brown’s game inconsequential as far as the playoff picture was concerned. The Kamloops foursome finish third in Pool A, carrying some momentum into the playoffs after a 9-2 win over Prince Edward Island’s Jane DiCarlo (1-7; Crapaud).

Playoff matchups will be confirmed at the end of Pool play at the 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts Thursday night.

The standard Page playoffs commence with the winner of the Page 1v2 game on Saturday at 7 p.m., advancing directly to the final, and the loser playing the winner of the Page 3v4 game (scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday) in the semifinal.

The semifinal (Sunday at 1 p.m.) winner takes on the winner of the Page 1v2 game in the final at 7 p.m. on Sunday. The winner will represent Canada at the 2025 LGT World Women’s Curling Championship March 15-23 in Uijeongbu, South Korea.

Rounding out Thursday afternoon’s action, Canada’s Team Rachel Homan went unblemished through pool play, finishing off Alberta’s Team Selena Sturmay (4-4; Calgary) and host Northern Ontario’s Team Krista McCarville (4-4; Thunder Bay) gave the Thunder Bay faithful a happy ending with a 9-3 win over New Brunswick’s Team Melissa Adams (2-6; Fredericton).

In morning action on Thursday, Manitoba’s Team Kate Cameron (4-3; Winnipeg) topped the Yukon’s Team Bayly Scoffin (1-6; Whitehorse) 9-5. Nova Scotia’s Team Christina Black (5-2; Halifax) stole the 10th end in a 7-6 edging of Québec’s Team Laurie St-Georges (5-3; Laval-sur-le-Lac), while Manitoba’s Team Kerri Einarson (5-2; Winnipeg) winning streak improved to three-straight games with an 8-6 win over Ontario’s Team Danielle Inglis; and the Northwest Territories’ Team Kerry Galusha (3-4; Yellowknife) came from behind in an 8-7 win over Newfoundland/Labrador’s Team Brooke Godsland (0-7; St. John’s)

The 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts continues Thursday at 7 p.m. (all times Eastern).

Live scoring, standings and statistics for the 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts are available at www.curling.ca/scoreboard/.

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For ticket information for the 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, go to www.curling.ca/2025scotties/tickets/.

This story will be available in French as soon as possible at www.curling.ca/2025scotties/nouvelles/?lang=fr