Barker and her rink of third Deanna Doig, second Christie Gamble and lead Danielle Sicinski picked up a 9-8 win over Swift Current’s Kristen Streifel on Sunday night.to advance to the ‘C’ side final.
The win keeps the 2017 provincial champion in the hunt for a second title and the opportunity to represent Saskatchewan on home ice at the 2020 Scotties Tournament of Hearts at Mosaic Place Feb. 14-23.
The early stages of the contest were back and forth, with the two teams tied 3-3 through five ends. Things didn’t change after the break, even though Barker looked to take control of the contest with a three-spot in the sixth. Streifel got two of those back the next end, and after Barker put up a deuce in the eighth to again take the lead, Streifel was able to get her three to tie the game 8-8 heading into the final end.
Barker made the most of the hammer in the 10th, though, and left herself with an open hit-and-stick in the four foot for the win.
Barker will now take on Regina’s Rae Williamson -- who defeated Michelle Englot 10-6 in the other semifinal – in the 1 p.m. draw Monday, with a spot in the Page playoff 3-4 game on the line.
The news wasn’t as good for former Moose Jaw competitor Amber Holland, who took the ice alongside third Cindy Ricci, second Laura Strong and lead Deb Lozinski.
Playing in the other ‘C’ semifinal Holland roared out to a 4-0 lead against Regina’s Mandy Selzer but was unable to keep the momentum going and dropped a 7-6 decision.
Selzer will now face Saskatoon’s Sherry Anderson in their ‘C’ qualifier after Anderson dropped a 9-8 decision to clubmate Ashley Howard in the ‘B’ final Sunday evening.
Regina’s Shalon Fleming, with Moose Jaw’s Candace Newkirk at third, was eliminated after a 12-1 loss to Holland in their first ‘C’ event contest.
The Viterra Scotties continue with the ‘C’ finals beginning at 1 p.m. Monday. The Page playoffs begin at 7:30 p.m., with the semifinal set for 9:30 a.m. and gold medal game at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Check Curlsask.ca for more information, including live streaming of each draw.
