Einarson eliminated from Scotties after pair of playoff losses

For the first time since 2019, Canada will have a new women’s curling champion.

Kerri Einarson’s drive for a fifth straight Scotties Tournament of Hearts title ended Friday when she dropped a pair of playoff games at the event in Calgary.

Einarson’s Team Canada rink lost 8-4 to Ontario’s Rachel Homan in a 1 vs. 2 qualifying game Friday afternoon. Then, in the evening draw, the four-time defending champions fell 9-4 to Manitoba’s Kate Cameron and were eliminated from the tournament.

In Friday’s other 1 vs. 2 qualifying game, Jennifer Jones of Manitoba beat Alberta’s Selena Sturmay 8-4.

Jones and Homan are to meet in Saturday’s 1-2 Page playoff game, with the winner earning a berth in Sunday’s final.

Sturmay rebounded in the evening draw with an 8-5 victory over Manitoba’s Kaitlyn Lawes.

Cameron and Sturmay are to meet in Saturday’s 3-4 Page playoff game, with the winner of that contest facing the loser of the Homan-Jones game in the semifinal Sunday.

The winner of the 1-2 game then will take on the semifinal winner in Sunday’s final.

The Scotties champion is to represent Canada at the women’s world championship, March 16-24 in Sydney, N.S.