Calgary’ Kayla Skrlik drops 7-4 decision to Kerri Einarson’s Manitoba rink

Alberta skip Kayla Skrlik reacts to her shot while playing Team Canada at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, in Kamloops, B.C., on Thursday, February 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

The road to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts final got a little longer for Alberta’s Kayla Skrlik Friday.

Skrlik gave up a three spot early to Manitoba’s Kerri Einarson rink before executing a nice draw in the fifth end to narrow the deficit to 3-2.

However, in the ninth end, with Einarson clinging to a 4-3 lead, the Manitoba skip nailed a draw for three, extending her lead to 7-3.

The final score was 7-4 for the Manitoba squad, which advanced to a Saturday night matchup against Team Canada’s Rachel Homan rink.

Einarson is starting to heat up after struggling in early games.

“We’re in a really great spot, really great mindset, like where you’re just calm out there and maybe not getting too much rocks in play, not going too hard for it,” Einarson said. “But also, they kept it pretty clean too after we got two (points).

“It’s definitely a confidence booster, and we get a little more rest in between games.”

Between Holman and Einarson, they have won eight Scotties titles.

Skrlik is scheduled to be back in action Friday night, where she takes on Ontario led by skip Danielle Inglis.

If the Albertans can win Friday night, they’ll take on the winner of the B.C. – Nova Scotia game in Saturday’s Page game, with the winner of that advancing through to Sunday’s semi-final.

On the other hand, one more loss and it will be over for the team from Calgary’s Garrison Club.

The Alberta and Ontario match got underway at 5 p.m. MST.

With files from the Canadian Press and CTV’s Glenn Campbell