(by Jason Simmonds)
SUMMERSIDE — Call it karma or whatever you wish, but one common denominator in the success enjoyed by Suzanne Birt-skipped rinks over the last 10 years has been coach Paul Power.
After a six-year hiatus, the Summerside native is back coaching the Birt rink that will represent P.E.I. at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Charlottetown from Feb. 19 to 27.
Birt’s teammates include third stone Shelly Bradley, second stone Robyn MacPhee, lead Leslie MacDougall and fifth player Tricia Affleck.
“I’m not sure if I added value to it or was their lucky charm, but every time we’ve been together it’s been pretty successful,” chuckled Power, who coached Birt’s (nee Gaudet) junior rink to back-to-back Canadian titles in 2001 and 2002, a world junior title in 2001 and a bronze at the ’02 world juniors. He coached Birt to a 10-1 round-robin showing at the 2003 Scotties – her first Canadian women’s championship.
“He’s (Power) a great coach, and he makes you feel really good,” said Birt. “You take that good feeling out on the ice with you.”
Second stone Robyn MacPhee was a member of Birt’s junior rinks and the ’03 Scotties team.
“He’s especially good for Suzanne,” said MacPhee. “He really gives her the confidence she needs for making the big shots, and he’s great for me, too. He’s a great coach. . .
“He’s very good with the strategy, and he knows how to deal with each person individually.”
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Jason Simmonds/Journal Pioneer
Photo: Paul Power holds the broom during a recent practice at the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club in Summerside.