Playoff-bound Homan holds off Kim at AMJ Players’ Championship

TORONTO — The playoff picture is now set for the AMJ Players’ Championship following Friday night’s thrilling round-robin finale at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.

The crowd erupted as Canada’s Team Rachel Homan completed a high-pressure draw to the button with the last rock of the game to earn a narrow 6-5 victory over South Korea’s Team Eun-jung Kim.

“It’s awesome,” Homan said with a smile. “The crowds are packed tonight. It’s a great atmosphere and we love playing in front of an energized crowd, so it was fun to make a great last shot like that.”

Meanwhile, defending champions Team Silvana Tirinzoni of Switzerland topped Sweden’s Team Anna Hasselborg 8-3.

Although the six women’s teams heading to the playoffs were set before the draw, the byes to the semifinals were still up for grabs.

Homan, Kim, Tirinzoni and Hasselborg all finished pool play at the top of the table with identical 4-1 records. Kim and Tirinzoni grabbed the byes to the semifinals based on draw-to-the-button averages.

Homan, a 17-time Grand Slam of Curling women’s champion, will face Japan’s Team Sayaka Yoshimura (3-2) in the quarterfinals with the winner playing Kim in the semifinals. Hasselborg takes on South Korea’s Team Seung-youn Ha (3-2) in the quarterfinals with the winner going up against Tirinzoni.

“It was just a good opportunity to get on the ice and learn the ice and stuff,” Homan said. “It’s really tricky out there and you’re seeing lots of misses across the board, so just try and make a few more tomorrow.” 

Homan will face Japan’s Team Sayaka Yoshimura (3-2) in the quarterfinals with the winner playing Kim in the semifinals. Hasselborg takes on South Korea’s Team Seung-youn Ha (3-2) in the quarterfinals with the winner going up against Tirinzoni. 

Homan has won a record 17 Grand Slam of Curling women’s titles, however, the AMJ Players’ Championship is the one missing from her illustrious resume. She looks to join Hasselborg and become just the second skip in the women’s division to win every championship in the series. 

“It would mean a lot for us to be able to find a way to win this one,” Homan said. “We haven’t won it yet, so hopefully, we can play a little bit better tomorrow.”

In men’s play, Team Matt Dunstone (3-2) clinched a playoff spot with a 7-5 victory over Team John Epping (4-1) in a clash of Canadian teams.

Recently crowned world champions Team Bruce Mouat (4-1) of Scotland earned a 5-3 victory over Switzerland’s Team Marco Hösli (2-3) to secure a bye to the semifinals.

World silver medallists Team Yannick Schwaller (4-1) of Switzerland received the other semifinal bye.

Epping will play Calgary’s Team Brad Jacobs (3-2) in the quarterfinals, with the winner meeting Mouat. Dunstone goes up against Saskatoon’s Team Mike McEwen (3-2) on the other side, with Schwaller awaiting the victor.

Up next

The women’s quarterfinals kick off Saturday’s slate of action at 11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT.

The men’s quarterfinals follow at 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT.

Both men’s and women’s semifinals are at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT.

Watch on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.

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