Jennifer Jones has won the Manitoba women's curling championship for the seventh time.

Jones, third Kaitlyn Lawes, second Jill Officer and lead Dawn McEwen defeated Kerri Einarson of East St. Paul 5-2 in the final of the 2015 Provinicial Scotties Tournament of Hearts Sunday in front of a sellout crowd of 1,200 curling fans at the Winkler Arena.

The reigning Olympic champions reeled off nine straight wins in Winkler and number nine was without a doubt the toughest.

“It wasn't easy for sure,” said Jones. “We struggled a little bit with draw weight but both teams found it difficult. We found a way to give ourselves control of the game in the latter half which is what we wanted.”

The turning point took place in the eighth end when the St. Vital foursome recorded the only deuce of the final and then followed that up with a steal of one in the ninth.

“I thought we gave her a pretty good game,” said Einarson. “We were doing really well. If mine in eight just stops a foot higher, she would have a hard time getting her deuce – it just slid a little bit deep. In nine, I had perfect weight but it didn't catch that curl and they steal one.”

It's the second year in a row Einarson, third Salena Kaatz, second Liz Fyfe and lead Kristin MacCuish have fallen short in their bid to win the Scotties final.

They dropped a 6-2 decision to Chelsea Carey last January in Virden.

“It's tough,” said Einarson. “Last year it wasn't as tough because it was my first final. This year I thought my team curled so well and I thought we did deserve it, but so did they. They curled great too. Whoever won – I thought both deserved it.”

Jones, who previously won the Manitoba title in 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2012 & 2013, said number seven is...“The same as every other one because it's truly special. I never dreamed of winning one Manitoba title and here we are with seven and the opportunity to represent our great province at the nationals.”

Jones, Lawes, Officer & McEwen will represent our province at the 2015 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Moose Jaw from February 14th-22nd.

“It was a great week for us,” added Jones as they celebrated a perfect Scotties in Winkler. “We played great from start to finish and the girls just played outstanding. We had a ton of confidence coming into the playoffs which is what you wanted and we'll hopefully carry that forward through to Moose Jaw.”

 

 

photos by Dantin Reimer