It’s difficult, but not impossible, to come back and win after being down by three. But when that lead is three in the tenth end, and your opposing skip is Jennifer Jones, it’s downright impossible.
Jones counted three in the ninth end on a nice angle double takeout and won 8-5 over Kerri Einarson in the women’s final of the Home Hardware Canada Cup at Affinity Place in Estevan Sunday. Jones had just watched Einarson play a near-freeze to her own stone behind cover.
“Getting one in the five-rock rule is always challenging, to hold them to not take two in the last end,” said Jones after getting the trophy. “We thought it was worth the risk and I like throwing that shot. It looked good out of my hand and we knew it was going to be close. I just wasn’t sure if we would stick the shooter…
“It worked out really well.”
Jones’ team was in control of most of the game despite giving up a steal of one in the eighth end, but full control was assumed with Jones’ three in the following end.
“It was a lot of fun to play that game and there were a lot of good shots back and forth,” she said.
Jones’ second Jocelyn Peterman said that shot in the ninth end was all Jones.
“I think for us we’re just riding along,” said Peterman. “We’re just there to experience it.”
“The girls swept that from my hand, I think and we just made it by a sliver,” said Jones. “It’s always a team game and I can’t say enough about my teammates. Jocelyn has just fit into the team great and we’re having a ton of fun with her.”
Einarson had left Jones a slim chance to get three in that end but Jones took it.
“She was making everything all game so I knew she was going to be close on it,” Einarson said. “And she made it so it was a great shot.”
After getting three in the ninth on a brilliant shot, all Jones had to do was run Einarson out of rocks in the tenth end and she did that flawlessly.
Einarson went 6-1 in the round robin to earn the spot in the final and until that end seemed to be shot for shot with Jones.
“It feels really good to go out there and we played so well,” Einarson said. “We gave Jen a really good game so I’m really proud of my team."
Peterman had played the last three seasons with Chelsea Carey before joining defending Scotties Tournament of Hearts champion Jones.
“(Jones) is very unique in that she loves to play in those big moments and she always plays well in big moments,” Peterman said. “It’s just great to be on her team now.”
The win was Jones’ fourth ever Canada Cup, an accomplishment no other team has been able to do.
