Nova Scotia’s Christina Black throws a stone during action against Team Kate Cameron during round-robin action at the Canada curling trials in Halifax on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. Black defeated Cameron 10-6 and has advanced to the semifinals. Photo by Tim Krochak /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentPerhaps it was divine intervention that steered Team Christina Black into the playoffs at the Canadian Curling Trials in Halifax.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentFacing a must-win scenario Wednesday afternoon against Team Kate Cameron of St. Adolphe, Man., Black launched a last-rock shot in the 10th end that might have had a guiding hand to help it. The perfect double takeout scored three for the Nova Scotia team and secured a 10-6 victory in front of a boisterous crowd at Scotiabank Centre.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentThe game was played the day after Colleen Jones, the greatest curler Nova Scotia has ever produced, lost a long battle with cancer at the age of 65. A mentor to many in the curling community, Jones’s spiritual presence was strongly felt by the Halifax Curling Club skip.Article content Christina Black yells instructions to sweepers the final round-robin draw at the Canada curling trials in Halifax on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. Photo by Tim Krochak /The Chronicle HeraldArticle content“We knew there’s this new curling god up there,” an emotional Black said. “You always say, ‘pray to the curling gods.’ Well, we got a great, like the best, one up there now who’s on our side. She’s doing everything she can, and we’ll leave it all out there like she would.Article content“Colleen was a fighter. She didn’t give up her whole career, her whole life. It gave us the sense that we can do this.”Article contentCelebratory high-fives followed their victory, but Team Black’s attention quickly turned to two sheets over where Team Kaitlyn Lawes of Winnipeg was tangled in a tight contest against Team Kayla Skrlik.Article contentArticle contentBlack and company needed a win by Lawes to punch their ticket to Thursday’s knockout semifinal. Down 6-5 and with last rock, Lawes pulled off a takeout to score four and a 9-6 decision which sent the Nova Scotia rink and the hometown fans into a frenzy. It was an exhilarating, dramatic five minutes of curling.Article content“It was so crazy,” Black recalled. “We knew we had to win and that’s all we could do. Just control what we can ourselves.Article content Kaitlyn Lawes guides sweepers into the house during round-robin action at the Canada curling trials in Halifax on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. Photo by Tim Krochak /The Chronicle HeraldArticle content“Then we needed Kaitlyn to win, and I could barely watch. I just had to hold my breath and then I literally jumped for joy. For her to make that shot, we all jumped. I screamed. It’s so much emotion. The whole game we had to keep it together and not think ahead, not look at the other sheets and just keep ourselves in our moment the whole time.Article content“But I just had this belief that it was all going to work out for us.”Article contentTeam Black will face Team Kerri Einarson of Gimli, Man., with Truro’s Karlee Burgess as lead, in Thursday’s semifinal at 1 p.m.
Black secures playoff spot with dramatic win, divine help from new curling god
