Pottinger rink falls in semifinals at National meet

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Allison Pottinger rink of Eden Prairie, which includes Natalie Nicholson of Bemidji, lost 8-7 in 11 ends to Erika Brown of Wisconsin in Thursday’s late semifinal round of the USA National women’s curling championship playoffs.

The loss dropped Pottinger into Friday afternoon’s bronze medal game against Alexandra Carlson of Wayzata. Brown will face off against the Courtney George rink of Duluth in Saturday’s championship contest. In Thursday’s other late semifinal George stopped Carlson 9-6.

In its game against Brown, Pottinger trailed 7-4 after Brown scored three in the eighth end. Pottinger, however, rallied with two in the ninth and a steal of one in the 10th to force an extra end.

Brown took advantage of the hammer in the extra frame to score one and earn the victory.

Nicholson played very well in the game as the rink’s second shot 90 percent.