2002 Ontario Scott Tournament of Hearts


The 2002 Ontario Scott Tournament of Hearts, the provincial women's championship of Ontario was held January 22 to 26 at the Thunder Bay Tournament Centre in Thunder Bay. The Sherry Middaugh rink from Coldwater, Ontario won the event. She and her rink of Janet Brown, Andrea Lawes and Sheri Cordina would go on to represent Ontario at the 2002 Scott Tournament of Hearts.
In the final, Middaugh defeated Darcie Simpson and her team of Kellie Andrews, Dawn Askin and Linda Fulton of Ottawa, 6–4. Middaugh took an early lead in the game, stealing a point in the first end when Simpson missed both her shots. Simpson tied the game in the second, but missed a chance for a third point when she missed a tap-up. Middaugh scored a deuce in the fourth to take a 3–1 lead, she drew for a second shot, but almost went through the rings. Simpson tied the game in the fifth after making a hit and roll for two, but could have scored a third point if her shooter stuck around. The teams traded singles in the seventh and eighth ends. Middaugh scored a game-changing two points in the 9th end to take a 6–4 lead, making a delicate tap of one of her rocks in front of the house. She made a difficult takeout in the 10th end to clinch the victory, running Simpson out of rocks. It was the second straight provincial title for Middaugh.
It was the first Ontario Hearts to be played on arena ice, rather than on curling club ice. Almost 10,000 people attended the event, which saw sell-outs for almost every draw.

Standings

Final standings:
Skip WL
Darcie Simpson 81
Sherry Middaugh 63
Anne Merklinger 63
Tara George 63
Karen Bell 54
Jo-Ann Rizzo 54
Kirsten Harmark 45
Elaine Uhryn 27
Nancy Wickham 27
Jodi Judd 18

Tie breaker