MONTREAL -- It isnt often a Quebec rink gets to play at home in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts but thats what skip Allison Ross of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que.
[b]Cheap NFL Jerseys[/b] ., will experience this week. A year in which the Canadian curling championship has been pushed forward a week to accommodate the Winter Olympics was deemed the perfect chance to stage the event in Montreal for the first time since 1979. The opening ceremonies and the first two draws are set for Saturday at the 4,000-seat Maurice Richard Arena, normally the training base for Canadas short-track speedskating team. "For us its going to be really fun," Ross said Friday. "Were really a team that likes to have the crowd support. "We respond well to that. Its a bit more pressure, for sure, a bit more media attention, but we are a team that likes it. We are enjoying every minute of it." Interest is likely to be lower than usual with the tournament schedule overlapping the Feb. 8 start of the Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. But holding it in a city not known as a curling hotbed and far from the sports heartland in western Canada, is seen as a chance to grow the game. Kruger, which produces Scotties paper products, has its head office in Montreal, also worked in its favour as well. "This will be a wonderful platform to get (curling message) out here," said tournament director Francine Poisson, who played in three Canadian championships in the late 1980s and early 1990s. "Weve had a lot of French media this week, so its breaking the (notion) of curling being an English sport. "Its very exiting. The visibility of curling has never been as great as it is now. People are watching. Now its time to translate eyeballs into people playing in curling clubs." Next years tournament will return to curling country in Moose Jaw, Sask. Facing the likes of defending champion Rachel Homan of Ottawa, the Ross rink wont be among the favourites after going 3-8 at last years Scotties in Moncton, N.B. "We are hoping for a better result than last year," said Ross. "Last year we had three games that came down to last rock. "We could have had six wins instead of three. We take a lot of what we learned last year and come back a lot stronger this year." It isnt home for Homan, but Ottawa is just a two-hour drive or train ride away and shes also expecting some extra support as she defends her title. "Its nice for us," said Homan. "We drove here and a lot of friends and family will be coming up to support us and share the experience with us. "Obviously, there wont be as many fans here as there would be out west, but its good for our friends and family." Its an unusual Scotties in many ways, so perhaps there will be surprises on the ice. For one, Jennifer Jones rink from Winnipeg wont be around because shell be in Sochi. Instead, Chelsea Carey will make her Scotties debut for Manitoba. In 1979 in Montreal, British Columbia won the tournament led by Lindsay Sparkes. This time, B.C. will be led this time by 22-year-old skip Kesa Van Osch of Victoria. She wont be the youngest skip on the ice. That honour goes to 20-year-old Sarah Koltun of Whitehorse. The Yukon/Territories skip is the youngest ever to compete at the Scotties and the first player to skip at both the Scotties and Canadian junior championship in the same year. The favourites include Val Sweeting of Alberta, who is in her second Scotties, and Stefanie Lawton of Saskatchewan, who is at her third. The veterans are skip Heather Strong of Newfoundland, who is in her 11th Scotties, and Kim Dolan of P.E.I., who is in her 10th. "The transition is certainly happening," said Dolan. "There a lot of young teams and new faces, which is great to see. "Womens curling is in a great place, so these new young ladies are keen. That only entices other people to play and go after their dreams." The Ontario team is skipped by Allison Flaxey while Nova Scotia has Heather Smith at the helm and Andrea Crawford will carry New Brunswicks colours.
[b]Cheap MLB Jerseys[/b] . Paire broke Giraldo twice and lost his serve once in both sets to wrap up the win in 1 hour, 10 minutes. He will next face Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain, who advanced when Jurgen Zopp of Estonia retired with an injury at 5-5 in the first set.
[b]Wholesale NFL Jerseys[/b] . He just didnt expect them to be this good. Darrun Hilliard scored 19 points to lead No. 6 Villanova to a dominating 77-59 victory over Georgetown on Saturday, preserving the Wildcats hopes of a No.Gareth Southgate marked his first game as England interim manager with a 2-0 win over Malta at Wembley on Saturday. First-half goals from Daniel Sturridge and Dele Alli sealed victory for the Three Lions, as they secured a second successive victory in the World Cup Euro Qualifiers to move to the top of Group F. Daniel Sturridge celebrates with team-mates after scoring the opening goal of the game So how did Southgates side - and indeed the man himself - fare at Wembley? Who performed well and who could have done better? We asked former England captain Terry Butcher to give us his ratings out of 10... Gareth Southgate enjoyed a comfortable debut as interim boss Gareth Southgate - 7 I think it was a good first half for him - his side could have scored six or seven goals quite comfortably in the game and, I dont know what he said at half-time, but England came out in the second half and they didnt fire on all cylinders like they did in the first. Hell be disappointed. Joe Hart had very little to do as England dominated proceedings at Wembley Joe Hart - 7I think he touched the ball about five times and had very little to do, so I would give him a seven out of ten on that. Kyle Walkers performance impressed Terry Butcher Kyle Walker - 8 He got forward well - better than the two left-backs that played - but its just his final ball thats not quite right. He was Englands best attacker from the back four. Gary Cahill wins a header up against Alfred Effiong Gary Cahill - 6.5 He didnt have a lot to do in the game. He was feeding the ball out to his full-backs. He had one good chance but missed and wasnt really tested. John Stones holds off pressure from Alfred Effiong John Stones - 6.5 The centre-halves werent really troubled in the game and he really didnt get forward because it was just too easy for England. Ryan Bertrand was forced off after pulling his hamstring in the first half Ryan Bertrand - 4He got injured in the first half so didnt do enough to get a high mark. Before he went off he didnt really get on the ball and hes not had that many games this season so could have done with a run-out but unfortunately that injury looks like he will be out for some time. Dele Alli scored Englands second goal against Malta Dele Alli - 7.5 He scored a good goal and missed a couple of other really good chances but looks very comfortable in the number 10 role. Jordan Henderson was Terry Butchers star performer Jordan Henderson - 9 He was the stand-out performer today.
[b]Cheap NHL Jerseys[/b]. He made the two goals. A great cross to Sturridge for the first and a great run and layoff to Alli for the second. He was the best passer on the pitch. Wayne Rooney played in a midfield role Wayne Rooney - 7He was disappointing for me. Very deep in midfield, didnt really get forward and just coasted through the game. He tried a couple of passes that didnt come off and thats not his best position, for me. Theo Walcott is fouled by Zach Muscat of Malta Theo Walcott - 6.5 He didnt get into the game as much as Lingard or Sturridge. He had a really good chance in the second half on his wrong foot, missed and then was substituted. Daniel Sturridge scored Englands first goal with a header just before the half-hour mark Daniel Sturridge - 8I was impressed with him. A great touch in the box and a fantastic first goal with a brilliant header and looked lively. It was his type of game today. Jesse Lingard made his England debut in their victory over Malta Jesse Lingard - 7.5I thought it was an impressive debut. He showed good pace, good timing of his runs and should have scored as well. I thought he settled in really well to international football.Substitutes Danny Rose is held back by Bjorn Kristensen Danny Rose - 6.5 He did well when he came on and probably wasnt expecting to play but got forward well, its just the final ball. Marcus Rashford holds off pressure from Alex Muscat Marcus Rashford - 4I can only give him four because he really didnt get into the game as much. He played on the left, he played on the right but didnt play through the middle which is probably his best position. It was good to see him involved. Jamie Vardy came on for Daniel Sturridge in the 74th minute Jamie Vardy - 4He hardly touched the ball. Never really got into positions that he does for Leicester. It wasnt really his type of game tonight. The England team pose for the cameras prior to kickoff You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: As it happened England must be brave Walcott and Rooney to start ' ' '
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