The Chronicle Herald – Contributed
Published: Jan 24, 2019 – 7:45 am
Nova Scotia’s Kaitlyn Jones closed out the first round of the Canadian junior curling championship in convincing fashion.
The Jones rink, the defending Canadian and world champions, crushed Nunavut 20-3 in a late draw Tuesday evening in Prince Albert, Sask. Jones and her team of Lauren Lenentine, Karlee Burgess and Lindsey Burgess finished the opening round at 4-2 and advanced to the championship bracket, which began on Wednesday.
Nova Scotia faced host Saskatchewan (4-2) later Wednesday night and will play New Brunswick (4-2) and Manitoba (5-1) on Thursday. In the junior men’s draw, Chester’s Graeme Weagle also finished at 4-2 to move on to the championship pool, despite losing their final first-round game. Weagle’s rink of Brett Dorey, Jeffrey Meagher and Owen Purcell fell 9-3 to Quebec on Tuesday night.
Nova Scotia played Newfoundland and Labrador (3-3) in the late draw on Wednesday and Saskatchewan (5-1) on Thursday.
Both the women’s and men’s semifinals will be held on Saturday. The semifinal winners will advance to Sunday’s finals.
Sunday’s champions will represent Canada at the 2019 world junior championships, Feb. 16-23 in Liverpool.
