Article content“That was a grind,” she said of the eight straight days of playing in the trials. “I can’t believe we finally won enough games. It’s pretty surreal.Article content“They’re such an amazing team; everyone in the field. We had to bring our best every game. I feel like we can take on the world with confidence. It’s going to be an uphill battle there, just like it was this week.”Article contentAfter Homan opened with two in the first end, Black responded with a deuce in the second. But that’s as close as the Nova Scotia rink would get to the five-time Scotties Tournament of Hearts champion and three-time world titleholder.Article contentIn the third, after Black was heavy with her final throw, Homan made a simple tap to score four. The Homan stole a single in the fourth and two more in the fifth, and Black faced a 9-2 deficit at the fifth-end break.Article contentThe Homan rink didn’t take their foot off the gas. They lost just a single round-robin game in Halifax, drawing high praise from their final opponent.Article contentArticle content“They’re an amazing team, and they are so good,” Black said of Team Homan. “Rachel can make any shot. She sees all the shots, they’ve got great sweeping, everything about their team is so dialed in, and they just keep getting better. They’re so inspiring.Article content“They’re the best team in the world. We wanted to win, but they’re the best team that we can send to the Olympics, and we are so excited to cheer them on. We know that they can bring home gold for Canada. I’m so happy for them and so proud of them. They deserve this more than anyone.”Article contentAfter shooting a spectacular 90 per cent in the semifinal victory, Black struggled with her draw weight on Saturday and shot just 58 per cent.Article contentIn Game 1, an inconsistent ice surface proved to be a challenge for both teams. The surface was much better in Game 2, but Black still struggled with it.Article content“The ice was great today, it was completely different than the last few days,” Black said. “I just couldn’t nail the draw weight. I’d hit one, and then the next one would just keep sliding because there was no frost today, which is a good thing. But it just threw me off.”Article contentArticle contentBefore the teams shook hands after the eighth end, the 7,267 fans in attendance stood and gave a rousing ovation as Black made her final throw.Article content Christina Black celebrates with her rink after scoring two points in the second end during Game 2 of the best-of-three Olympic curling trial final in Halifax on Saturday. Photo by Andrew Klaver /Curling CanadaArticle content“I didn’t even know how to throw my last rock because that crowd was just crazy,” Black said. “I just want to thank each and every person that was in that crowd right then.Article content“I don’t know if I’ll ever play in front of that large of a crowd again. It was really special, and I know it’s something I’m going to remember for the rest of my life.”Article contentHoman also praised the Scotiabank Centre crowd.Article content“It was just amazing to play in front of a crowd like with that kind of energy,” she said. “The east coast has phenomenal people, phenomenal energy, huge sports fans.Article content“They love their hometown team so much, but they were supporting us too, and It was just a really cool moment to be a part of.”Article contentJoining the Homan crew in Milan-Cortina will be 2014 Olympic champion Brad Jacobs of Calgary and his rink of Marc Kennedy, Brett Gallant and Ben Hebert who defeated Team Matt Dunstone of Winnipeg 5-4 in Game 2 of the men’s trials final Saturday night to sweep the best-of-three.Article content
Blacks magical ride at Canadian curling trials halted, Homan wins Olympic berth
