Barker Looks Great on First Day of Scotties

At the 2017 Viterra Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Penny Barker's Moose Jaw rink, quite literally, snapped victory from the jaws of defeat. They were massive underdogs who barely squeaked into the playoff round thanks to a tie-breaker. It was there that they found themselves with all the confidence in the world, winning a trio of matches against the toughest teams in the province; Nancy Martin, Stephanie Lawton and Robyn Silvernagle. It took scoring 4 points in the 10th end for Barker to pull off the ultimate come-from-behind, upset victory against Silvernagle.

Barker's team won the provincial tournament in breathtaking fashion, but floundered in the national tournament. Finishing with a record of 1-10.

Coming into 2018's competition, Barker's team, which includes, Danielle Sicinski (lead) Lorraine Schneider (second), Deanna Doig (third) and the coach, Merv Fonger, can no longer coast on the underdog status. They've clearly shown that they have the skills to beat the best curlers in the province and must be treated as legitimate contenders with the possibility to repeat last year's success.

2018's tourney began the way 2017's ended. With a win. In draw 1, Team Barker jumped out to a comfortable lead on Saskatoon's Nancy Martin, and cruised, comfortably to an 8-5 finish, showing all the poise and confidence that made them champions.

In other draw 1 action: 

Chantelle Eberle beat Robyn Silvernagle 8-5

Stephanie Lawton beat Ashley Howard 6-5

Sherry Anderson beat Candace Chisolm 6-4

In draw 2, Team Barker met up with a familiar foe. The same Robyn Silvernagle club that they beat in last year's finals with a miracle in the 10th end. 

Silvernagle jumped out to a comfortable 3-0 after the fourth end, but the pesky Barker just wouldn't roll over and die. She kept fighting; eventually taking points in the seventh, the ninth and the tenth to force an extra end.

But, with the stone in hand, Silvernagle was able to eke out the necessary point to win the exhilarating match 4-3

In other Draw 2 action:

Stephanie Lawton beat Nancy Martin 7-0

Ashley Howard beat Sherry Anderson 10-4

Chantelle Eberle beat Amber Holland 7-5

Team Barker only has one match on Jan. 3.

Against Candace Chisolm from Carlyle at 3:00