Preview: Women’s Playoffs at Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials

In an exciting conclusion to the round-robin phase at the women’s division of Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials, Team Rachel Homan and Team Kerri Einarson clashed for the coveted spot in the finals. The event took place at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax on Wednesday. Homan won the critical match against Einarson with a score of 7-6, securing her place in the best-of-three finals scheduled to begin on Friday.

The finals will determine who will represent Canada in curling at the Winter Olympics taking place in Milan and Cortina, Italy, in February 2026. Einarson now faces a chance for redemption as she enters the elimination semifinal against Team Christina Black.

Homan Dominates Round-Robin Play

The match between Homan and Einarson was highly anticipated, marking a key showdown between the top two teams in Canadian women’s curling. Homan, a two-time reigning Canadian and world champion, remains at the pinnacle of the world rankings, having recently secured three consecutive Grand Slam of Curling titles this fall. Einarson, who boasts four Canadian championships from 2020 to 2023, is currently ranked ninth globally.

Throughout their match, the momentum shifted several times. Homan initially faced challenges but managed to regroup effectively. After Einarson scored a steal in the second end, Homan regained strength, taking a 3-1 lead. However, Einarson fought back with a three-point score in the fifth, briefly reclaiming the lead. Ultimately, Homan’s consistent play led her to victory, allowing both teams to finish the round-robin with 6-1 records. Homan advanced to the finals due to her head-to-head result against Einarson.

Statistical Highlights

• Homan’s shooting percentage was 86%, while Einarson’s was 82%.
• Homan’s lead, Sarah Wilkes, recorded the highest efficiency among her position at 93%.
• Homan scored multiple points with the hammer 43% of the time throughout the week.
• Homan has an impressive 86-3 record against Canadian teams this season.

Upcoming Semifinal: Einarson vs. Black

Christina Black, hailing from the local area, wrapped up round-robin play with a 10-6 win against Team Kate Cameron. This victory brought her final record to 4-3. She enters the semifinal against Einarson, who holds a strong advantage, having previously defeated Black in all eight encounters. This matchup serves as a significant rematch from last season’s Scotties Tournament of Hearts semifinal.

Team Black will need to avoid allowing steals against Einarson, who has capitalized on this tactic effectively. Black’s recent performance shows promise, especially following her best game against Cameron, where she shot at 89%.

Previous Head-to-Head Performance

• Black lost to Einarson 8-2 during their preliminary encounter this season.
• In their last meeting, Einarson topped Black 9-8 in a dramatic semifinal match last season.

Predictions for the Playoffs

The upcoming semifinal promises to be thrilling, with Einarson’s historical prowess posing significant challenges to Black. While the opportunity to play in front of a supportive crowd may favor Black, Einarson’s consistent performance is likely to guide her team to victory. The general consensus predicts Einarson will prevail over Black, setting the stage for a finals rematch against Homan.