Laura Williamson, Tamar Vandenberghe, Lorna Spenner, Laura Eby, and Darlene Gammel, the Yukon representatives at the 2021 Scotties Tournament of Hearts returned home Friday from Calgary and are completing their two-week self isolation.

The team went 0-8 but Eby, the skip, said it was a great week.

“It felt surreal to be there,” said Eby. “It was a whirlwind of a week but it was an amazing experience. Mentally and physically I am spent.”

Eby was tough on her performance but had nothing but praise for her teammates.

“The team curled really well,” said Eby. “Kudos to them. Against Northern Ontario, I had a minute left to shoot my two rocks and I choked, sending one out the back.”

Team Yukon lost to Northern Ontario 8-7 in their fifth draw of the Scotties.

The team started their tournament against Wild Card 3 skipped by Beth Peterson of Winnipeg and conceded 10-2.

“We struggled in the beginning,” said Eby. “We realized the adjustments later.”

It was the first Scotties for the members of Team Yukon. Before heading to Calgary, Eby said the team wanted to gain experience. Through the nerves and some anxiety, she believes they accomplished that goal.

“There were times in the hack where I was like ‘I’m at the Scotties, I’m about to throw a stone at the Scotties,’” said Eby. “We just had to go out there and pretend it was just a regular game.

“The learning curve was huge. But, now we know how to handle situations, what to do and what to expect.”

Team Yukon was in Pool A, which featured the two teams who played the championship draw – Team Canada, skipped by Kerri Einarson and Team Ontario, skipped by Rachel Homan.

The final, won by Einarson, was a rematch of the 2020 Scotties, also won by Einarson.

“The pool was tough,” said Eby. “But, you have to play the best to get better. They ironed out the small stuff that we haven’t yet. Now we know.”

Eby said the team played Team Canada and Ontario strongly.

“We played well against both teams,” said Eby. “We stole three from Einarson early, then to score seven on them was a big accomplishment.”

Team Yukon lost to Team Canada 11-7 and 8-3 to Team Ontario.

Curling Canada is hosting all its major tournaments in a bubble at the Markin MacPhail Centre in Calgary. Eby said it was rocky to start but got better.

“We were the first event so there were lots of changes in the first three, four days,” said Eby. “They will have it ironed out for the Brier. They did a great job considering.”

Because of the bubble, there were no fans, something Eby was grateful for.

“We were thankful there were no fans, the anxiety was reduced,” said Eby.

“I’m sure the other teams were feeling it, but we didn’t have much to compare it to. There was one point were there was no sound and you could hear a pin drop.

“For the big name teams I am sure it was different.”

Now that they are home, Eby said she is going to enjoy watching the Tim Hortons Brier beginning March 5. She thinks the Yukon team will have a good shot.

“They’re a good hitting team,” said Eby. “If they keep it clean and keep the opponent rocks out of the house they will do well.”