Unfinished Business

By Kelly Sharp

Skip Patti Knezevic -centre, lead Melinda Kotsch-left  second Kay Lynn Thompson-right

The road to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts- Canadian Women’s Curling Championship goes through Kamloops this week For Skip Patti Knezevic and her Prince George teammates it is the long awaited opportunity to complete some unfinished business. Two years ago, the Prince George Golf and Curling Club rink fell just short of capturing the BC Women’s Curling Championship. Tears flowed freely that day when the Knezevic team dropped a last rock extra end decision to Kelly Scott of Kelowna.

“I’ll never forget that game,” second Kay Lynn Thompson said. “We lost by inches.”

Knezevic, who took a year off of competitive curling to become a mother of twins, is reunited with third Tracey Jones, Thompson and lead Melinda Kotsch.  Coach Dave Johnston was welcomed to the team last spring and the combination has building towards the provincials. Corporate support made it possible for the Prince George team to compete in 3 high level cash spiels. There most impressive showing was an extra end loss in the final at Red Deer won by former Saskatchewan champ Sherry Anderson.

Johnston, a former silver medalist at the Canadian Junior Men’s Curling Championship and BC Men’s Curling Championship, watched the Knezevic team continue to improve upon the game within the game of curling.

“We worked on a lot of situational strategy, adapting to their strengths,” Johnston said. “They are now really comfortable.”

The strong front end sweeping of Thompson and Kotsch compliment the well-balanced team. Pressure shot making is something Patti Knezevic and Tracey Jones, who throws last rocks, have been used to since their junior days together when they won a BC title and finished third in Canada.

“She (Tracey) is throwing great,” said Knezevic, whose team breezed through the regional playdowns in Terrace.

The provincial women’s curling championship begins Wednesday in Kamloops. The winner of the 8-team round robin qualifies for the final with the next two best records meeting in the semi-final.

“Our goal is to make the playoffs,” Tracey Jones said.

“I’ll be shocked if they don’t finish in the top 3, coach Johnston said.

“Because I think they are that good.”

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