KRASNOYARSK, RUSSIA -- Canadian women's and men's rinks have advanced to their respective finals at the world junior curling championships.
Mackenzie Zacharias' Manitoba women's rink scored a single in the extra end to beat defending champion Vlada Rumiantseva of Russia 9-8 in semifinal action on Friday.
“It’s incredible,” said Zacahrias. “I had a bit of a rough go at the beginning of this game, but the team played absolutely fantastic the second half.”
In the fifth end, Zacharias made an in-off double takeout to score three points to tie the game at 4-4.
“It was a make it or break it kind of shot. The game could have been decided if I missed that shot.”
Zacharias (8-2) will face the unbeaten Minji Kim (10-0) of Korea in the final. Korea beat Japan 8-4 in the other semifinal. The final takes place at 2 p.m. Krasnoyarsk Time Saturday, which is 1 a.m. Central Time.
Earlier, Jacques Gauthier's Manitoba men's team beat Germany's Sixten Totzek 7-4 in semifinal play.
Gauthier (8-2) will meet Switzerland's Yves Wagenseil (6-4) in the men's final after the Swiss beat Scotland 9-6. Gauthier will try to give Canada a third consecutive world junior men's crown after Tyler Tardi of B.C., won the last two.
Gauthier stole two in the final end to seal it against Germany.
"Wow, I'm speechless," Gauthier said. "That was one of the best-played games I've ever been a part of from both sides. Anything can happen in 10, and things went our way."
The men’s final will take place at 9 a.m. Krasnoyarsk Time Saturday, which is Friday at 8 p.m. Central Time.
The results continue a big week for Manitoba curling. Manitoba's Jennifer Jones and Kerri Einarson also have secured playoff spots at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Moose Jaw, Sask.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 20, 2020
-With files from CTV News Winnipeg.
