Manitoba’s Lawes remains unbeaten, books playoff spot at Scotties

By Canadian Press on January 27, 2026.

MISSISSAUGA — Manitoba’s Kaitlyn Lawes rolled to a 9-4 victory over Yukon’s Bayly Scoffin on Tuesday to become the first team to secure a playoff spot at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

Lawes opened with a three-point end and led 7-1 at the mid-game break. She improved to 6-0 and was the only undefeated team in Pool A.

Ontario’s Hailey Armstong defeated British Columbia’s Taylor Reese-Hansen 7-3 and Canada’s Kerri Einarson topped Saskatchewan’s Jolene Campbell 10-4. Nova Scotia’s Taylour Stevens posted a 10-4 victory over the Northwest Territories.

Einarson (5-1) was alone in second place behind Lawes while Stevens and Armstrong were next at 3-2.

In the morning session, Nova Scotia’s Christina Black moved to 4-1 with an 8-4 win over Northern Ontario’s Krista Scharf. Manitoba’s Beth Peterson, who was idle for the early draw, led the Pool B standings at 4-0.

Selena Sturmay and Kayla Skrlik, both skipping Alberta teams, improved to 3-1 with resounding wins. Sturmay dumped Nunavut’s Julia Weagle 10-2 while Skrlik topped Prince Edward Island’s Amanda Power 10-4.

New Brunswick’s Melodie Forsythe defeated Newfoundland and Labrador’s Mackenzie Mitchell 9-6 in the other early game.

The Alberta rinks were scheduled to meet in the evening draw at Paramount Fine Foods Centre.

The top three teams from each nine-team pool will advance to the playoffs starting Friday. The final is scheduled for Sunday.

The winning team will represent Canada at the world women’s curling championship in March at Calgary.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 27, 2026.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press