Team Selena Sturmay Qualifies for Playoffs at P&H Masters
“That feels great,” Danielle Schmiemann said after Team Selena Sturmay secured a 7-6 victory over Team Anna Hasselborg in Medicine Hat, Alberta. The Edmonton rink finished the preliminary round at 3-1 with eight points to punch its ticket to the playoffs for the first time in the Grand Slam of Curling presented by Molson Canadian.
Sturmay earned entry into the event by winning the Autumn Gold Curling Classic satellite qualifying event in Okotoks, Alberta, last month. Schmiemann noted the team wanted to prove their presence on home-province ice was earned rather than a one-off appearance. The loss dropped the two-time Olympic gold medallist Hasselborg to 2-2 with four points, resulting in her elimination from the tournament.
Rachel Homan Defeats Sweden in Shootout
Team Rachel Homan claimed a 6-5 shootout win over Sweden’s Team Isabella Wranå to secure a 3-1 preliminary record and eight points. Wranå trailed 5-3 with the hammer in the final end before executing a double takeout for a deuce to force the tiebreaking shootout. Homan shot first to cover the pin as the crowd reacted, while Wranå’s final delivery stopped just short of the pinhole.
Homan played her second tournament of the 2026-27 campaign with alternate Rachelle Brown filling in at lead for the injured Sarah Wilkes. Wranå also advanced to the quarterfinals despite the shootout loss, finishing the round-robin at 2-2 with seven points. Homan praised the local atmosphere in Medicine Hat, noting she had not played in the city previously.
Alina Pätz Rallies to Defeat Japan
Switzerland’s Team Alina Pätz rallied from a 6-4 deficit to defeat Japan’s Team Ikue Kitazawa 8-6. Pätz secured her playoff berth with a 2-2 record and seven points after capitalizing on a crucial miss in the fifth end where Kitazawa drew for four points following a flashed stone by Pätz. Pätz responded by stealing two in the seventh end and one in the eighth to seal the comeback.
Kitazawa absorbed her first loss of the week, finishing the preliminary stage at 3-1 with nine points after already locking up her qualification earlier. Both teams will face each other again in the upcoming quarterfinals. Meanwhile, South Korea’s Team Eun-ji Gim claimed the No. 1 spot at 3-1 with ten points following an 8-7 win over compatriot Team You-been Park.
Women’s Playoff Matchups in Medicine Hat
Team Eun-ji Gim holds the top seed and awaits the winner of the Saturday morning tiebreaker between Victoria’s Team Taylor Reese-Hansen and Japan’s Team Miku Nihira. Both Reese-Hansen and Nihira finished the round-robin at 2-2 with six points. The remaining quarterfinal pairings feature Kitazawa against Pätz, Switzerland’s Team Xenia Schwaller meeting Wranå, and Sturmay squaring off against Homan.
Schwaller advanced with a 6-5 victory over Reese-Hansen during the evening draw to finish at 3-1 with nine points. Sturmay will now play Team Rachel Homan in the women’s quarterfinals on Saturday at 4 p.m. EST / 3 p.m. ABT.
Frequently Asked Questions About The P&H Masters Playoff Field
How did Team Selena Sturmay qualify for the P&H Masters?
Team Sturmay secured their spot in the Grand Slam of Curling event by winning the Autumn Gold Curling Classic satellite qualifying tournament in Okotoks, Alberta, last month.
Who does Team Rachel Homan play in the quarterfinals?
Team Homan faces Team Selena Sturmay in the women’s quarterfinals on Saturday afternoon following their respective preliminary finishes.
What was the final preliminary record for Team Anna Hasselborg?
Team Hasselborg finished the round-robin stage with a 2-2 record and four points, which eliminated the two-time Olympic gold medallist from playoff contention.
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