Article content Rachel Homan throws her final stone during Game 1 of the best-of-three final of the Canadian Olympic curling trials at Scotiabank Centre. Photo by Tim Krochak /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentBoth skips shot an identical 74 per cent on the day. Black was coming off a 90 per cent shooting percentage in the semifinal upset of Team Kerri Einsarson on Thursday.Article contentAn inconsistent ice surface proved to be a challenge for both teams.Article content“It was challenging out there,” said Homan’s second Emma Miskew. “We thought when we started the game that the frost was going to stay away, but it was not the case, and we definitely struggled a little bit when the frost crept in.Article content“It’s something to know for tomorrow. We’ll be a little sharper with the frost.”Article contentAfter Homan scored one in the ninth, Black had the hammer for the 10th end down 5-3.Article contentTeam Black vice-skip Jill Brothers connected on a brilliant double-raise takeout. She lifted her arms high and looked to the ceiling, almost in disbelief.Article contentWith a cluster of stones in the four-foot, Black had a very tough shot for the victory but was a little light.Article contentArticle contentA game of inches, and that’s how close Black came to pulling off a second-straight stunner at the Olympic trials.Article content“You watch us any time, we don’t give up,” Black said. “We’re resilient and we find a way to scratch. We told each other at the fifth-end break, ‘let’s scratch and crawl our way back into this thing, guys. Let’s just be annoying and don’t give up. Just annoy them and see what happens. So that’s what we did, and we were able to bring it down to the last rock.”Article content Christina Black, Jennifer Baxter and Karlee Everist look over the stones in the four-foot in the 10th end as Team Homan escaped with a 5-4 win. Photo by Tim Krochak /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentMiskew chuckled when asked if she found Team Black annoying.Article content“Well, they’re not annoying,” she replied. “They definitely made a lot of shots, and they had a good handle on the ice. They’re a great team.Article content“I was a little confused how we got there. They made a lot of nice freezes and taps, and all of a sudden, we’re in a little bit of trouble. So, it wasn’t the easiest shot she had with the last one, but it was definitely there.Article content“Hopefully tomorrow it won’t be as tense near the end of the game.”Article contentGame 1 of the men’s final between Winnipeg’s Team Matt Dunstone and Team Brad Jacobs of Calgary is later Friday at Scotiabank Centre.Article contentJacobs secured first place in the round robin and a bye to the best-of-three final. Dunstone advanced by defeating Saskatoon’s Team Mike McEwen 9-5 in Thursday night’s semifinal.Article content
Black light on last-shot attempt, Homan escapes with Game 1 win at Canadian Olympic trials final
