North Battleford's Robyn Silvernagle is undefeated through the A event at the 2020 Viterra Scotties in Melville, SK. (Twitter/CurlingZone)

By Brady Lang

Silvernagle heading to playoffs as top seed at Viterra Scotties

Jan 26, 2020 | 1:31 PM

The reigning provincial women’s curling champions flexed their muscles through the first few games in Melville, en route to a birth in the 1-2 page playoff game.

Robyn Silvernagle’s rink, based out of the Twin Rivers curling club in North Battleford, has had a strong showing so far in the 2020 Viterra Scotties provincial play downs.

They opened up with a bye in the A draw in CURLSASK’s new triple-knockout format, then took on Shalon Fleming’s Regina-based rink. Silvernagle posted an 8-2 win, moving on to a match up with Moose Jaw’s Penny Barker.

After falling behind 4-1 after the first three ends, Silvernagle’s rink bounced back to score six in the remaining seven ends for a 7-5 win. That set up a match up with Regina’s Michelle Englot’s new rink in the A final.

It took a draw to win that one for Silvernagle, who made no mistake, clinching a bye to the 1-2 page playoff game with a 7-6 win.

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They now await a winner of the B side in the triple knockout tournament, and with a win Monday at 7:30 p.m., would move into the provincial finals.

A loss would drop the team to the semi-finals, where they would have a second chance to make their way to the finals. The loser heads to the bronze medal game.

Silvernagle told 650 CKOM Sunday, the goal at the beginning of the play downs was to come out of the A side, and have the Sunday bye.

“I feel like we’re getting a hold of the ice and playing well. We’re in a position where we want to be,” she said.

The new format did change some things up for Silvernagle’s rink this time around.

She said their rink preferred 2019’s draw, because it mimicked the Scotties Tournament of Hearts draw. Regardless, she said her rink will enjoy the added day off and get some practice in to prepare for Monday’s match up.

“I don’t know if there’s ever a right or a wrong way on formats. It’s all just trying them out and seeing (what happens). Every year it changes — whoever comes out this weekend, it’s the team that’s going to be playing well and making the most shots.”

Still tons on the line in Sunday action

Silvernagle’s route to the playoff round meant that the defending champion didn’t have to maneuver through the triple knockout format.

Sunday in Melville, there’s still a lot to be determined as the weekend wraps up.

In the B event’s semi-finals, Moose Jaw’s Penny Barker will take on Saskatoon’s Sherry Anderson, while Regina’s Ashley Howard battles Michelle Englot’s Regina rink. Both of those games begin at 3 p.m.

The winners of those two games will play at 7:30 p.m. Sunday to determine who moves on to the 1-2 page playoff game.

The losing rinks will have another shot to qualify for the playoff round, but would have to head through to the C side to get the final spot. The winner of the C event will grab the third playoff spot, and take on the loser of the 1-2 page playoff game.

The gold medal match up will take place on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.

The winner of that will not have too far to travel for the 2020 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, as that will be held in Moose Jaw from February 15-23.

For the latest scores at the 2020 Viterra Scotties in Melville, click here.