Mixed results for Canada in playoff tuneups at world junior playdowns

Team Nunavut second Jeff Nadeau releases the rock during the 10th draw against team Northwest Territories at the Brier in Brandon, Man. Tuesday, March, 5, 2019. (Jonathan Hayward/CP)

KRASNOYARSK, Russia — Mackenzie Zacharias of Altona, Man., split her games on the final day of round-robin play at the world junior curling championship while Winnipeg’s Jacques Gauthier dropped a 6-5 decision to Scotland’s James Craik.

The Canadian teams had previously secured playoff berths but the semifinal matchups weren’t finalized until Thursday.

Zacharias opened with a 13-2 rout of Latvia’s Evelina Barone before dropping a 7-1 decision to unbeaten Minji Kim of South Korea.

Canada (7-2) will face Russia’s Vlada Rumiantseva (6-3) in women’s semifinal play Friday and South Korea (9-0) will meet Japan’s Sae Yamamoto (5-4).

Canadian alternate Rachel Erickson played in the early game and Latvian fifth Leticija Ievina also saw some action. The 11-year-old Ievina is the second-youngest player ever to compete at the event.

In men’s play, Scotland (7-2) secured first place with its victory and will next face Switzerland’s Yves Wagenseil (5-4). Canada (7-2) will meet Germany’s Sixten Totzek (6-3) in the other semifinal.

The finals are scheduled on Saturday.

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