(by Jody Jewers)

Hosts fall to 1-2 

You’re only as good as your last game, so the adage goes.

Suzanne Birt knows that all too well.

The skip of the host team at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts didn’t look like someone in the mood to celebrate Islander Day on Monday after dropping a 10-6 decision to Saskatchewan on Sunday night at the Canadian women’s curling championship in front of another supportive crowd of 2,384 at the Civic Centre.

Birt, who made big shot after big shot in a 10-5 victory over Quebec in an afternoon contest, was outcurled 81 per cent to 50 by Saskatchewan’s Amber Holland. Her Charlottetown Curling Club teammates — third Shelly Bradley, second Robyn MacPhee and lead Leslie MacDougall — won the battles at the other positions.

To her credit, a cleary dejected Birt managed to put on a brave face after coming off the ice to the media scrum area.

“I probably only made two or three shots and we still kept it close right up until the eighth end,” she said. “We still hung in there, even with me playing bad, so I’m proud of our team for that. You just have to regroup tomorrow.”

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Guardian photo by Brian McInnis

Shelly Bradley of the Suzanne Birt rink watches as the sweepers take the rock toward the house during draw five in their game with Saskatchewan Sunday night.