Friday, December 7, 2001
Law slaps cuffs on field
By CON GRIWKOWSKY -- Edmonton Sun
REGINA -- The long arm of Law has handcuffed the Olympic Trials field.
Kelley Law, the 2000 World champion, has earned a bye into tomorrow's women's final after finishing first (7-2) in the round-robin portion of this event.
Law will meet the winner of this afternoon's semifinal between current world champion Colleen Jones and one of the top women's cashspiel teams, Sherry Anderson of Delisle, Sask.
Anderson failed to nail down first place when she was upset by Edmonton's Cathy King in her last game, but will have hammer against Jones.
Due to the CBC technician's strike, all remaining games in both the men's and women's competitions will continue to be aired on TSN.
Having the day off does not bother Law, who won her 2000 Scotts title by winning all her games after she was in a position where one more loss would have put her out.
"There's no doubt, we'll plan our day so it's not wasted,'' said Law. "We'll be out throwing rocks. We'll be eating properly, sleeping, walking out in the cold - whatever it takes to keep us going.''
It's now crunch time for one of the three teams who will have to carry on the legacy of the late Sandra Schmirler.
"Whoever wins this, it will change their lives - there's no doubt about it,'' said Law. "At the end, we'll find out who it is. It's kind of like a present at the end of the tournament. Every team wants it as much as the rest.''
Playoff time has a way of getting Jones pumped.
"It's what you bring to the playoffs that matters,'' she said. "I love getting to the playoffs - it's awesome. I usually bring my best for a playoff game. I go into kind of a dreamland for a round-robin game. I go into dreamland for cashspiels. I can't get any fire for it. But playoffs are different. When they come around it's: this is big, this is now, let's do it.
"You're always looking for that must-make shot. I can definitely smell it now.''
Compared to Jones's three Scotts titles, Anderson has seen limited success outside the cashspiel circuit.
"She has a lot more experience than me, but I think we'll be OK,'' said Anderson, who beat Jones in their round-robin game earlier this week. "If you can get the home province crowd going right away ... we're going to make 'em roar.''
2002 Games Curling Coverage
