(by Mitch MacDonald)

As a yellow curling rock slowly slides down the ice and nestles itself between three red rocks, a group clad in gaudy green clothing lets out a cheer.

The shot was made by Saskatchewan skip Amber Holland during a game Monday night against Quebec in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Charlottetown.

For the skip’s green-clad family, who’ve traveled from their home province to watch the tournament, the shot meant they could let out a sigh of relief as another point was added to Saskatchewan’s total.

The western province eventually won the game 7-6 but it came down to the last shot on the 10th end.

“It’s exciting, nerve-racking, nauseating,” said the skip’s sister Tara Holland, “It’s very nervous and hard to watch.”

Holland wasn’t the only family member cheering for the team.

Joined by her mother and father, Myrla and Kent Holland, as well as her husband Tim McNulty, the group is one of 21 family-members, friends and fans staying in P.E.I. to cheer Saskatchewan on through the week.

And like any true sport fans at a big game, they haven’t come empty-handed.

Brandishing green coats, wigs, top hats, pom poms and other St Paddy’s Day-themed apparel, the group said they’ve been getting lots of comments on their outerwear.

“We brought extras too for fans we pick up throughout the week,” added Holland, holding up a bag of green goodies.

“Not everyone wearing green will be from Saskatchewan,” she added. “But by the end of it, they’ll all be Saskatchewan fans.”

Saskatchewan isn’t the only province boasting rabid and colorful curling fans at the Charlottetown Civic Centre this week.

Three days into the tournament, host committee chair Kim Dolan said she’s seen fans from just about every province taking in the tournament’s atmosphere.

Click for full story at The Guardian. 

From left, Myrla, Kent and Tara Holland, along with Tim McNulty cheer on Saskatchewan skip Amber Holland after knocking out an opposing rock during a curling game against Quebec at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts Monday. Guardian photo by Mitch MacDonald.