(by Paul Friesen, QMI Agency)
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – It took eight draws, but the previously sedate Charlottetown Civic Centre finally came alive at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
What has often been a library atmosphere turned raucous as a wrestling match — for a minute or two, anyway — when provincial favourite Suzanne Birt body-slammed three-time defending champion Jennifer Jones, 8-6.
The biggest shot of the biggest upset, so far — Birt’s draw for four in the seventh end — drew a standing ovation, led by P.E.I. Premier Robert Ghiz, from a near-capacity crowd of 3,278.
It only got louder when Birt supplied the head lock in the next end, stealing two, courtesy of a rare Jones flash on a double-takeout attempt.
It may not be curling etiquette to cheer somebody’s misses, but it was in vogue on this Monday night.
“That’s just the way it is,” a sheepish, but ecstatic, Birt said. “It was just so exciting. We love the energy they create.”