LETHBRIDGE – A taste of provincial action has given Canmore's women's curling team motivation for next season.
Canmore Golf and Curling Club's skip Karen Dreaver, Kristy Langs, Janice Egger, Adele Sanford, and team alternate Kim Sanford played to a 1-4 record at the 12-team provincial club championship from March 28 to April 2.
Although walking away with the big trophy wasn't in the cards this season – those honours went to the Lethbridge club – the newly formed Canmore squad is already sizin' up Alberta's best club curlers for next year.
"We would love to get back to provincials again and I believe Team Canmore will rise again to the challenge," said Egger.
Team skip Dreaver said they were competitive in most games in Lethbridge and had chances for a better record. However, inexperience at this higher level was a crux for the foursome.
"Every one of the games we could have won. We were definitely a team to be beat in that [tournament]," said Dreaver. "I think we lost two of those games, as opposed to being beaten. It's learning what we can do better and we'll be more prepared."
A tournament highlight for Canmore came in game one against the club from Peace River.
Down a big six points after two ends, Canmore made a remarkable comeback, scoring nine straight to win 9-6.
"We got down six points in the first two ends, so it was kind of a trying to have fun and make some shots and then we managed to steal our way back into, and actually win the game, which was pretty exciting," said Dreaver.
The team struggled in its second and third games, losing 11-2 and 9-4 to Chestermere and Ellerslie clubs, respectively.
In its fourth game against St. Albert, it needed an exciting extra end to settle things. Canmore ultimately lost 7-6 in what was the team's best game, said Dreaver.
"We made shots, we missed very few, and we had a chance for a win," said Dreaver. "Maybe a couple strategy errors I made. I tried a little different shot and, you know, you're learning. We don't curl at that level a ton."
In their final game, Canmore lost 8-4 to Crestwood.
Learning from the experience and having a good time was "really what it's all about."
Qualifying for provincials was a rare feat for the Canmore club.
"I think it profiled the Canmore curling club in a way it's never been before," said Egger. "This is a great thing for the Canmore community and the club to have one of their teams sort of break out of the mold and bring us that much closer to curling attention."
