It was a magical Saturday in the history of Nunavut sport. At the 2019 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Nunavut won its first ever game at the Canadian national women’s curling championship when they upset Team Quebec 4-3.
The Nunavut team of skip Jennifer Blaney, third Alison Griffin, second Jenine Bodner and lead Sadie Pinksen became the talk of the Canadian curling community after their opening draw victory. With the game tied at three points each after five ends, Nunavut and Quebec squad kept things rather open for the next four ends before the Nunavut squad stole a key point in the 10th and final end.
Griffin led the Nunavut squad as she curled 75%. It was a tough 10th end for Quebec skip Gabrielle Lavoie. With her first rock in the 10th end, her throw was too heavy as her rock went right through the rings. Then with her final shot, Lavoie was unable to get her single point. The Nunavut squad was based out of the Iqaluit Curling Club in Iqaluit.
After an opening draw victory, the last two games have been difficult for Nunavut. They lost 12-4 to Ontario and 10-1 to British Columbia. However, they are still leading Quebec and Nova Scotia in the Pool A standings, as both of those provinces have lost their first three games.