The dream of a seventh Canadian women’s curling championship for Jennifer Jones is, despite a late scare, alive and well.

Jones and her Winnipeg rink defeated Tracy Fleury 8-7 in the wild-card game at Mosaic Place last night as the 2020 Scotties Tournament of Hearts got underway.  Jones, who led 7-4 after eight and watched Fleury score three in the ninth, needed a draw to the eight foot with her final rock in 10 to secure the win and move into her 15th Canadian women’s curling championship as she looks for a record seventh title.

The victory also means Jones will have played as Team Manitoba, Team Canada and now Team Wildcard at the Scotties.  She is hoping her colours might be advantageous.

“I like the colour.” Jones said as fans were filing out of Mosaic Place. ” It’s Saskatchewan green so maybe we’ll pick up a few fans.”

The first draw of the Scotties goes at 1:30 following the opening ceremonies which begin at noon.

Saskatchewan’s Robyn Silvernagle will play New Brunswick’s Andrea Crawford in her first game at 1:30. The North Battleford rink is representing Saskatchewan for the second year in a row.  Silvernagle says she and her team are ready to do their thing in front of what will be a pro-Saskatchewan crowd.

“We feel good.” Silvernagle said. “Practice went great, the ice is great.  We’re ready to go and we’re excited at what this week might bring.”