Kerry Galusha’s NWT rink survived a scare to defeat Sarah Koltun’s Yukon and move to the final of their Scotties pre-qualifying round.
Having lost 10-5 to Northern Ontario on Thursday, the NWT needed victory over the Yukon to progress to the final.
Galusha appeared to have the win wrapped up, scoring five in the seventh end, but Koltun hit back with four in the 10th end to level the game.
The NWT came through 11-10 following an extra end.
Read: Galusha’s pre-tournament conversation with My Yellowknife Now
“What can I say?” Galusha told the Canadian Curling Association. “I felt like we controlled the first half of the game and the momentum shifted in the middle ends, and then we got that big five.
“It’s a big relief. Our goal was to get to the final tomorrow.”
The winner of Saturday’s pre-qualifying final, a rematch between the NWT and Northern Ontario at 1pm MT, will reach the main round of Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the women’s national championship. This year’s event is being held in Moose Jaw.
Earlier, after an opening defeat by Northern Ontario, Galusha said her NWT team had been embarrassed.
“That’s the worst start we could have ever expected,” she said at the time.
“We have worked far too hard to come out and play like that. It was really disappointing. We looked like beginners out there.”
Goal #1… We are playing Saturday! Keep cheering NWT! #scotties
— Team Galusha (@TeamGalusha) February 14, 2015
https://twitter.com/JKnwt/status/566404924590682113
