WINNIPEG -- Sherry Middaugh is a Canadian curling veteran with a hard-luck streak getting to the big game, but she will be playing Jennifer Jones Saturday for the right to represent Canada at the Olympics. Middaugh fed off Rachel Homans mistakes to cruise to a 10-4 win at the womens semifinal at the Olympic Curling trials Friday night. "In the past its been normally like a missed shot on my behalf, maybe nerves, but the fact (is) that maybe all those experiences have helped," Middaugh said of her record of stumbling before the finish line was in sight. "Id certainly give all of those away to win tomorrow." On the mens side, Kevin Martin and John Morris will be playing Saturday in the semifinal to see who will compete against Brad Jacobs Sunday. At 47, Middaugh is the oldest female skip at the trials. Shes won many provincial championships but had trouble getting out of the national semifinals. Her biggest national win to date has been the 2003 Canada Cup of Curling. Ironically, although she started with the hammer, she missed her attempt to blank the first end and benefited from the change in tactics that dictated. Homan, the youngest skip at the trials and reigning national champion from Ottawa, threw a disastrous runback attempt that gave Middaugh her second three of the game in the sixth end. She said she didnt even forsee that as a possibility. "It just wasnt our night," she said. "Youve got to sum it up like that. Theres not much to say about it." After exchanging singles in one and two, the first few ends werent the same mistake-free, careful curling that Middaugh and Winnipegs Chelsea Carey played earlier in the day in the tiebreaker. Instead, their front ends traded half shots and misses that opened opportunities and Middaugh took an early lead, thanks to a three she scored in the third end. But Homan came back with a deuce in the fourth to keep it close. The veteran then scored a deuce of her own in five to make it 6-3, with two perfect draws to the button behind cover and a thin hit by Homan that failed to move Middaughs first counter far enough. Then came Homans runback attempt in six that could have netted her two but instead handed Middaugh another three. "I didnt even think we could do that. I thought at worst case . . . wed take one." Middaugh was deadly with her hits and near perfect with her draw. After Middaughs rink scored another point in the eighth, Homan shook hands. Homan said she had trouble with the ice. "The right side of the sheet was just a mountain . . . and the other side was just a valley." But Middaugh said she has found the ice consistent all week, which has helped her with her draws. "The ice has been the same all week which is a credit to the ice crew. . . The ice isnt patchy, its consistent right from the first end all the way through to the end," Middaugh said. "That certainly builds the confidence because you just throw what youve been throwing all week." Shes married to three-time world champion Glenn Howards third Wayne Middaugh. They live in Victoria Harbour, Ont. Theyre just one of four couples at the event. Edmonton skip Heather Nedohin is married to Martins third Dave Nedohin. Winnipeg skip Mike McEwen is married to Jennifer Jones lead Dawn Askin and Jones is in a relationship with Glen Howards second Brent Laing. Earlier Friday, Martin defeated Morris 7-6 in an extra end to clinch second in the mens standings. But Morris also advanced to the semifinal after Kevin Koe beat Mike McEwen 5-4, guaranteeing Morris a third-place finish. Martin is hoping he can repeat the feat en route to a fourth Olympics berth. He won gold in 2010 and silver in 2002 and also went to the 1992 Games. "It will be a tight game again but it was good to get through that one and the hammer in the semi and well hopefully play another good game (Saturday)," he said after Fridays win. "I would have to say we have to play a little better than (Friday) as a team. We were a little bit sloppy on a couple of ends." Morris was happy with how his team played. "I think we had a real sound strategy and kept control most of that game," he said. The exception was the sixth end when Martin scored three. "If we can just pick it up maybe just a half notch then we can win this thing . . . I like our chances," said Morris, who was born in Winnipeg but has made his name curling for both Ontario and Alberta. The former two-time world junior champion joined Martins Edmonton-based rink in 2006 but abruptly left in April to sign with skip Jim Cotters squad out of the Vernon and Kelowna curling clubs in B.C. Cotter moved to third. Martin then picked up another Manitoba native, former Randy Ferbys fourth rock Dave Nedohin, to replace Morris. In other mens action, Jacobs completed the round robin with a 7-4 victory over John Epping, who finished last with a 1-6 record. Jeff Stoughton defeated Howard 9-3 but both were already out of playoff contention. Stoughton finished 3-4 and Howard 2-5. . -- Jerry Rice Jr. . Both of Padakins goals came in the second period while Zane Jones added a single in the first period for Calgary (13-6-4). Hitmen goaltender Chris Driedger finished with 30 saves for the shutout.
http://www.cheapdodgersjerseysauthentic ... nes-jersey. -- Wichita State is all alone in the record book. . Jacob Jacques, Andrew Ryan and Jonathan Drouin also scored for Halifax (37-18-3), who outshot the Islanders 40-26. Kevin Darveau stopped 25 shots. Bradley Kennedy had the lone goal for Charlottetown (18-33-5), which has nine losses in its last 10 games. . The Suns termed Fridays surgery by team doctor Thomas Carter a success. No timetable was given for Bledsoes return but the team said in a news release that he "will pursue a possible return to action during the second half" of the season.HOUSTON - The Houston Texans have already won more games than they did in last years dreadful 2-14 season.While theyre happy with their 3-1 start, theyre still looking to do much more, especially with a matchup with in-state rival Dallas coming up Sunday.We have a lot of things that we want to make sure that we continue to improve upon, defensive end J.J. Watt said. We have some other things that we want to really get going. There is always things, even that you do well, that you want to make sure you continue to do better.Watt was chosen AFC defensive player of the week on Wednesday. Watt led the way in Houstons 23-17 win over Buffalo on Sunday with an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown, five tackles and a career-high nine hits on quarterback E.J. Manuel. His interception return was the longest by a defensive lineman in more than 15 years.Watt, who started his college career as a tight end before moving to defence, has two touchdowns this year after also grabbing a TD pass in Week 2.But, as usual, the overachiever isnt satisfied.Every single day is a new challenge, he said. Its a lot of fun. Thats what makes it so fun. Every day you come in and you find something new to work on.Watts big game helped make up for a tough day by the offence. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw two interceptions and the team managed a season-low 37 yards rushing.We have yet to play even close to our best football, especially as an offence, left tackle Duane Brown said. We feel like our defence has really played its tail off and we have to match that, and I think once were firing on all cylinders well be aa great team and well be hard to stop.ddddddddddddEven though the Texans are looking to up their game, theyre also encouraged theyve been able to get out to such a good start despite struggling in several areas.Without a doubt, but you cant hang your hat on that, cornerback Johnathan Joseph said. Because if you dont fix those problems, somewhere down the line it will come back to haunt you and cost you a game.Fitzpatrick, in his first year in Houston, has struggled the past two weeks after a solid start this season. His five interceptions have all come in the last two games and are tied for most in the league. Coach Bill OBrien has talked often about putting Fitzpatrick in better positions to be successful, but the quarterback wont place blame for his trouble on anyone but himself.Ive got to get a lot better, he said. Every week its almost like a broken record, but the consistency, its just got to get better ... if I look at the first four games and how theyve gone, were 3-1 and thats not too bad, but my level of play has got to pick up.This week hell face a Dallas defence that is allowing more than 271 yards passing a game, seventh most in the league. But the group picked off Drew Brees once in a 38-17 win over Saints last week, and the Cowboys also recovered two fumbles in the victory.Theyve created a bunch of turnovers, Fitzpatrick said. Theyve been an opportunistic defence this year. You really see them flying around and playing fast (and) that jumps out at you when you watch the tape.___AP NFL websites:
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