Pool A playoff picture narrows after pivotal Wednesday evening draw at the 2026 Scotties

When the Wednesday evening draw got underway at the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, it was already confirmed that Manitoba’s Team Kaitlyn Lawes (7-0; Winnipeg) and Canada’s Team Kerri Einarson (6-1; Gimli, Man.) would be two of the three teams advancing to the playoffs from Pool A. 

When the draw had finished, though, the playoff situation was only slightly clearer.  

Two games in the 7 p.m. time slot had major implications.  On sheet A, Saskatchewan’s Team Jolene Campbell (3-4; Regina) was facing Ontario’s Team Hailey Armstrong (5-2; Whitby, Ont.). On the next sheet over, Nova Scotia’s Team Taylour Stevens (5-2; Halifax) was taking on Yukon’s Team Bayley Scoffin (0-8; Whitehorse). Armstrong and Stevens entered the draw with matching 4-2 records, while Campbell was just a game behind at 3-3. 

“We had a rough game this morning but still pulled out a win,” said Stevens. “We really wanted to have a good game tonight and set the tone for tomorrow. I think we were able to do that.” 

Halifax’s Stevens, comprised of vice-skip/third Maria Fitzgerald, second Alison Umlah, lead Cate Fitzgerald, and coach Kevin Ouellette, took care of the young Yukon team with a 9-2 victory.  

Armstrong, with vice-skip/third Grace Lloyd, second Michaela Robert, lead Rachel Steele, alternate Lori Eddy, and coach Stephen Robert, played all ten ends against Campbell’s Regina-based squad but took the win, 8-4. 

“We felt really focused out there,” said Robert. “We feel really good out on the ice, and the conditions have been great all week. The rocks were textured, so we had to throw a bit more positive and take a bit more ice, but I think we adjusted well to that.” 

With the wins from Stevens and Armstrong, they are the only two teams left in contention for Pool A’s third and final playoff berth. And as fate would have it, they’ll face each other in the pool’s last round-robin draw on Thursday afternoon. 

“We tried not to look around too much,” said Stevens, about the game going on the next sheet over. “We definitely did peek over a little bit to the Ontario game, but we were focused on ourselves. We know they’re going to be super tough, but we also know that we have to perform as well as possible tomorrow.”  

“It’s one game at a time,” said Robert. “We were aware that we should win that game tomorrow if we hope to advance, but we were really focused on our own win tonight.

We’re going to try to approach [tomorrow] like every other game. We’ve been feeling good and playing well. We’ll try to ignore that it’s a qualification game and play the same game we’ve been playing all week.” 

That win-or-go-home battle will take place on Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre.  

In the other games in the late draw, British Columbia’s Team Taylor Reese-Hansen (3-4; Victoria) beat Quebec’s Team Jolianne Fortin (2-5; Jonquière, Que.) by a score of 8-5. Meanwhile, Lawes remained undefeated with a 7-4 win over Northwest Territories’ Team Nicky Kaufman (1-6; Yellowknife). 

The 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts continues Thursday 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/.