Down to the wire!

Top spot in female Pool A still up for grabs entering Saturday at 2025 New Holland U-20s 

Razor-thin margins separate three teams from a first-place finish in female Pool A at the 2025 New Holland Canadian U-20 Curling Championships. 

With a direct bye to a semifinal being awarded to the pool’s top finisher, it’s quite a carrot to chase; one which Team British Columbia’s Holly Hafeli (6-2; Kamloops), Team Nova Scotia #1’s Rebecca Regan (5-2; Lower Sackville) and Team Québec’s Jolianne Fortin (5-2; Kénogami) would be happy to claim. 

Team British Columbia – detailed by vice-skip Jorja Kopytko, second second Gabby Britssette, lead Natalie Hafeli, and coach Monica Makar – had a chance to take Pool A outright on Friday afternoon with a win over Team Nova Scotia #1, but the Kamloops collective fell to the bluenosers 7-5. 

Team British Columbia skip Holly Hafeli was, naturally, disappointed with Friday afternoon’s result at the Gerard “Turk” Gallant Arena at Summerside, P.E.I. 

“It was rough,” said Hafeli. “That would have gotten us the bye to the semi. Definitely a tough loss.” 

It may be some solace to know that Team British Columbia’s robust 6-2 record, paired with a fifth overall LSD score, secures, at minimum, a third-place playoff spot. 

“It’s really nice to know that we’re in,” said Hafeli. “Reflecting back, when our team has a meeting, it’ll still be a win for us.” 

Team Nova Scotia #1, meanwhile, took a huge step in securing a potential playoff spot with Friday’s win over Team British Columbia. 

“It’s big,” said skip Rebecca Regan. “The head-to-head matchup against them is important in making playoffs, so, it was a good close game to have. We would love to have the bye to the semis, but the main objective is to make playoffs.” 

Regan’s Lower Sackiville squadron – completed by vice-skip Olivia McDonah, second Rya Leonard, lead Ella Kinley, and coach Heather Smith – can cement a playoff spot with a win tomorrow morning over Team Northwest Territories’ Sydney Galusha (1-6; Yellowknife). 

“Just keep playing how we’re playing,” said Regan. “Just keep raising our standard as we head towards the playoffs.” 

The Team British Columbia loss to Team Nova Scotia #1 proved to be an essential domino to fall in creating Pool A’s cacophony of potential outcomes, which could see four teams, aforementioned plus Team Alberta #2’s Gracelyn Richards (5-2; Edmonton), finish with 6-2 records. 

If that occurs, Team British Columbia, Team Québec and Team Nova Scotia #1 would all be through, with Team Alberta #2 left on the outskirts thanks to a 1-2 record within the four tiebreaking teams and the worst LSD score of the bunch. 

“It’s definitely a concern,” said Richards of her team’s LSD score. “We’re just trying to focus on what we can control and that’s putting another win on the board. Winning our next game is going to be big.” 

Richards – alongside vice-skip Emma Yarmuch, second Sophia Ryhorchuk, lead Rachel Jacques, alternate Amy Wheatcroft, and coach Jessica Amundson – needed an 8-5 win over Team Manitoba #1’s Shaela Hayward Friday afternoon to stay away from a dreaded third loss and keep its playoff hopes alive.

Richards knows her team will still need a little help, even with a win on Saturday morning, to make the playoff picture at the New Holland U-20s. 

“Just focusing on us,” said Richards. “Putting in the work that we need to get a record that we need to make the playoffs. And hoping other things happen as they need to.” 

The setup is simple for Team Québec, who had the bye on Friday afternoon. To claim first place in Pool A, it will need to win its Saturday morning matchup versus Team Manitoba #1.  

A playoff spot is not yet guaranteed for the team from La Belle Province, but the Kénogami cadre can guarantee a berth with a win thanks to its first-overall LSD score. 

Action from the 2025 New Holland Canadian U-20 Curling Championships resumes Friday at 7 p.m.   

Select games will be streamed live on Curling Canada’s YouTube page found here.            

Live scores, standings, team rosters, schedule information and more can be found at the event website here.