Manitoba-Lawes tops Canada, sits alone atop Pool A

Kaitlyn Lawes hasn’t appeared in a Canadian women’s championship playoff game for two years, but that drought could end this week at the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

Just a day after opening weekend, fourth Lawes, and her team—skip/third Selena Njegovan, second Laura Walker, lead Kristin Gordon and coach Marcel Rocque—have already matched their best win total at the event since joining forces in 2023. In their first season together, they finished 5-4 and lost in a tiebreaker.

On Monday night at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga, Ont., the Heather Curling Club team in Winnipeg reached that mark with a 9-4 win over Canada’s Team Kerri Einarson (4-1; Gimli, Man.). The 5-0 start puts Team Manitoba-Lawes alone atop Pool A and in prime position for a playoff spot.

“Today was a big day. It was our only two-game day on the schedule, so we really knew that we had this one kind of circled on the calendar,” said Lawes, who defeated Nova Scotia’s Team Taylour Stevens earlier today. “We wanted to come out with at least one win and have a close game tonight, because you never know how that’s going to go against a great team. I’m really proud of everyone’s efforts and excited to get some rest.”

Team Lawes started with hammer but gave up a steal of one before taking control. In the second, Lawes made one of her best shots of the week, executing a sharp-angled raise double to clear the house of Canadian stones and score three. She followed up in the third with a hit-and-roll behind cover to steal one.

“We know that we could have been on the other inch, with a few made shots on either side. The scoreboard, I don’t think, was an indicator of how the game could have gone, but going into the rest of the week, it’s huge to get a win against them, and hopefully we can keep the momentum going,” Lawes said.

Whenever Canada tried to mount offence, Manitoba-Lawes had an answer. Walker led the way, outshooting Canadian second Shannon Birchard 92 per cent to 73.

“I feel like we really kind of hit our stride during the Trials, and we were just a last shot draw away from making the playoffs. I feel like we’ve been building some momentum towards this event, and Laura’s been a part of our team in some capacity, and it just feels like she’s fit in seamlessly and we’re really happy with how the first half of the week’s gone so far,” Lawes said.

Canada counted one in the fourth, but Manitoba answered with two in the fifth. As the margin grew, Canada took more risks, surrendering steals in the sixth and seventh. Team Einarson scored two in the eighth before conceding.

Lawes, who made her Scotties debut in 2011 as third for Jennifer Jones, savours the perfect start. Especially with a women’s field that seems younger every year. The average age of competitors this week is 30.

“Every Scotties is different and special in their own way, and you never know how many you’re going to get to at this point in my career. I’m getting closer to the end, potentially, so it’s just trying to take in every moment, every cheer, every fan that’s been excited to meet us. It’s been a lot of fun,” Lawes said.

After Monday night’s results, the race for the final playoff position behind Manitoba-Lawes and Canada got cloudier with four teams all having two wins. British Columbia’s Team Taylor Reese-Hansen (2-2; Victoria) beat Team Nicky Kaufman of the Northwest Territories (1-3; Yellowknife) 9-3. Quebec’s Team Jolianne Fortin (2-3; Jonquière) got the best of Saskatchewan’s Team Jolene Campbell (2-2; Regina) with a 7-2 win. Ontario’s Team Hailey Armstrong (2-2; Whitby) rose to .500 after a 6-3 win against the Yukon’s Team Bailey Scoffin (0-5; Whitehorse).

Nova Scotia’s Team Stevens (2-2; Halifax) had the evening bye.

The 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts continues Tuesday with draws at 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. (all times Eastern). 

Live scoring, standings and statistics for the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts are available at www.curling.ca/scoreboard/. 

TSN and RDS2 will provide complete coverage of the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. CLICK HERE for the complete schedule. 

For ticket information for the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, go to www.curling.ca/2026cotties/tickets/.