SAINT JOHN, N.
Buffalo Bills Throwback Jersey .B. -- Canadas Rachel Homan had ideal preparation for the playoffs at the Ford World Curling
Championships with a pair of hard-fought wins over tenacious opponents Thursday.
The Canadians defeated Sweden 9-6 and China 6-4 to finish atop the
preliminary-round standings at 10-1. Their execution Thursday was the sharpest
of the tournament so far. The games were tight with Homan and her Ottawa Curling
Club teammates scoring three in the eighth ends of both. "We were really pushed
today," Homan said. "It was great we were able to control the game and stay
confident with this team and really nail the lines and make the big shots when
we needed them. "We had to fight for our points." Homan will face Switzerlands
Binia Feltscher, whose record was 9-2, in Fridays playoff game between the top
two seeds. The two countries meet in the 1 vs. 2 Page playoff game between the
top two seeds. (TSN, 6:30pm et/3:30pm pt) The winner books a ticket to Sundays
gold-medal game. The loser drops to Saturdays semifinal. Canadas lone loss of
the preliminary round was to the Swiss. It went so badly for the host country in
ends five through eight that they shook hands early Sunday. "That was a little
bit of a lopsided game," Homan acknowledged. "We had some misfortune, but I
think were a little bit different now. Were going to know the rocks and its
going to be on a different sheet and everything so I think it should be a great
game." The top four teams advance to the Page playoff. Russias Anna Sidorova,
Swedens Margaretha Sigfridsson and South Koreas Ji-sun Kim all finished tied at
8-3. Sidorova will play in Saturday mornings playoff between the third and
fourth seeds with the winner advancing to the semifinal. Russias opponent will
be the victor of Fridays tiebreaker between the Swedes and South Koreans.
Sidorovas missed final shot of a game against the Czech Republic -- a draw --
prevented Russia from finishing 9-2 and playing Canada on Friday. China and
Allison Pottinger of the U.S., were just outside playoff contention at 6-5 with
Germanys Imogen Oona Lehmann and Anna Kubeskova of the Czech Republic ending
their tournaments 3-8. Scotlands Kerry Barr and Denmarks Madeleine Dupont had
2-9 records ahead of Latvias Evita Regza at 1-10. Homan had to win a tiebreaker
to get into the final four at last years world championship in Riga, Latvia.
Canada won their subsequent playoff game before losing the semifinal and then
winning the bronze medal. The beauty of finishing in the top two is the loser of
Fridays game can still get to the championship game, albeit via a longer route.
"We love the one-two game," Homan said. "Theres not much pressure. "Either way
weve got a chance at the gold-medal game. Thats what were gunning for now." The
Canadians struck a balance between patience and aggression to achieve their No.
1 ranking. The average age of Homan, third Emma Miskew, second Alison Kreviazuk
and lead Lisa Weagle is just shy of 26, but theyre a Canadian womens curling
team ahead of the curve when it comes to the big-game experience and the lessons
learned in those games. Homan, Miskew and Kreviazuk have been teammates for over
a decade. Since graduating from the junior ranks four years ago, they and Weagle
have played in three national womens championships -- finishing fourth and
winning twice -- two world championships and an Olympic trials. "This team may
be young, but weve had so much experience," said Weagle, the oldest at 28. "We
realize were a young team and have really ambitious goals. We really want to
accomplish them, but at the same token, if you look at a lot of the great
curlers in our sport, theyre in their 30s or even their 40s when theyre at the
peak of their game." Weagles talent for clearing a road to the rings and Miskews
ability to execute big-weight, multi-stone takeouts allows Canada to gamble and
takes some pressure off Homan. Kreviazuk banged her broom after a few misses
during the preliminary round, but the four curlers have an otherwise
business-like demeanour on the ice. "Were patient and were learning all the time
and were allowing ourselves to learn," Weagle said. "Were not expecting to be
perfect every single shot, but when were not, we want to learn from it. "Often
Ill go down and talk to Rachel about my shots and how Im throwing them, if she
want me to make an adjustment or if shes going to make the adjustment with the
broom. I think thats worked really well for us. We want to make the most shots
possible and whatever way we need to do it, its good to take the emotion out and
just treat it like business."
Bob Uecker Braves Throwback Jersey . New York (16-9-8) took over first place in the Eastern Conference and has the best record
in the league with one game remaining. Houstons five-game unbeaten streak was
snapped, and the Dynamo (13-11-9) are sixth in the East with one game remaining.
Teemu Selanne Ducks Throwback Jersey . According to TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie, the deal will pay Schenn $2.25
million in the first year and $2.75 million in the second year. In 82 games with
the Flyers in 2013-14, Schenn scored 20 goals and added 21 assists.LOS ANGELES
-- The first-place Dodgers have staged plenty of comebacks this season. Just not
after seven innings. They snapped an 0-for-46 skid with two runs in the eighth
and Clayton Kershaw outdueled Tyson Ross for a 2-1 victory over the San Diego
Padres on Thursday night. "We need wins no matter what," said Kershaw, whose
team is 3 1/2 games ahead of San Francisco. "The Giants are playing better right
now." Kershaw (15-3) allowed one run and three hits in eight innings, striking
out 10 and walking two. He tied Johnny Cueto, Wily Peralta and Adam Wainwright
for the major league lead in victories. The left-hander was originally scheduled
to start Friday, but he was moved up to give Zack Greinke extra rest for his
sore elbow. "I dont think Ive ever seen anybody like this guy," Dodgers manager
Don Mattingly said. "Tomorrow will be on to the next one and hell be on a
mission for that. A huge competitor." Pitching on regular rest after Mondays day
off, Kershaw bounced back from losing his previous start against Milwaukee after
winning his 11 previous decisions. The two-time Cy Young Award winner retired 12
in a row before giving up his first hit -- a single by Ross -- with two outs in
the sixth. "My command was lacking the first couple of innings, but I was able
to keep the pitch count down," Kershaw said. Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth to
earn his 36th save. Ross (11-12) held his own against Kershaw, retiring 12
straight after giving up his second hit in the third. The right-hander allowed
two runs and four hits in eight innings, struck out eight and walked two. "You
want to be out there battling the other guy and putting up zeroes and pitching
deep into games," Ross said. "Kershaws having an MVP-type year, and he was just
a little better." Carl Crawford reached on an infield single to the mound
leading off the eighth and Turner followed with his fourth homer into the
left-field pavilion, putting the Dodgers ahead 2-1. "That was one of the most
exciting moments of my career," Turner said.
Chris Doleman Vikings Throwback Jersey. "We just try to pull together. Carl puts together a good at-bat. I caught a mistake
off Ross." Ross said, "It was just a hung slider and he put a good swing on it.
Unfortunately, there was a guy on first base and it was enough to take the lead
rather than just be tied up." Turner was 2 for 3 and is batting .362 with eight
RBIs and eight runs scored in 17 games this month. The Padres led 1-0 on
Rene Riveras RBI single in the seventh. Los Angeles took two out of three
against San Diego, and has won its last eight series against NL West opponents.
Kershaw beat the Padres for the fourth consecutive time and improved to 11-6
against them in his career. DOMINANT DODGERS They are 20-12 against the Padres
since the start of last season, with an 8-1-1 series record. TOUGH LUCK Ross
fell to 0-4 against the Dodgers in his last five starts while receiving a
combined three runs of support. He has a 2.67 ERA against them. "Hes been
pitching lights-out," Kershaw said. "He doesnt give much. His slider-fastball
combination is pretty unbelievable." TRAINERS ROOM Padres: Closer Joaquin Benoit
had been bothered by shoulder problems, but he will avoid a DL stint. Manager
Bud Black said Benoit could return Friday if hes feeling as good as he was on
Thursday; if not, he will be ready on Saturday. Dodgers: Mattingly said he
believes Greinkes elbow isnt going to be a long-term problem. Infielder
Juan Uribe, on the DL with a right hamstring strain, has resumed baseball
activities. Pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu, on the DL with a right oblique strain, is
doing well. ON DECK Padres: Odrisamer Despaigne (11-11, 2.70 ERA) starts the
opener of a three-game series at Arizona. He made seven minor league starts
after signing with the team on May 2. Despaigne is the second Cuban-born pitcher
to appear in a game for the Padres and the first to make a start. Dodgers:
Struggling Dan Haren (10-10, 4.59) takes the mound in the series opener against
the Mets. Last weekend, he allowed six runs on five hits in three innings in a
7-2 loss to Milwaukee.
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