REGINA -- Alberta’s Shannon Kleibrink has some breathing room here at the 2008 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

Kleibrink defeated Ontario’s Sherry Middaugh 10-8 in an extra end Wednesday afternoon in what was a battle for first place. The win improves Kleibrink to 8-1, while Middaugh falls to 6-2.

Meanwhile, Canada’s Kelly Scott continues to claw her way back into playoff contention after opening at 1-4.

Scott won her third straight game here Wednesday afternoon to improve to 4-4, grinding out a 10-5 victory over Kerry Galusha’s Northwest Territories/Yukon. Galusha is still winless at 0-9.

“We’re starting to find our stride out there,” Scott said.

Scott broke open a 4-3 game in the sixth end, executing a perfect triple takeout with the last rock of the end to score three and take a lead she’d never again relinquish.

Quebec’s Marie-France Larouche also continued to roll Wednesday afternoon, dropping BC’s Allison MacInnes 10-1. The win improved Quebec to 6-2 and into a tie for second place with Ontario. BC fell to 4-5.

In the only other game Wednesday afternoon, Newfoundland’s Heather Strong defeated Saskatchewan’s Michelle Englot 7-5.  Newfoundland improved to 6-3, while Saskatchewan has now lost two straight and is 4-4.

Earlier Wednesday, Manitoba kept their playoff hopes alive with a dramatic 8-7 win over Newfoundland’s Strong.

Trailing 7-5 in the tenth end, Manitoba skip Jennifer Jones made a raised-double takeout with the final rock of the game to score three and win 8-7. The victory improved Manitoba to 4-4.

Manitoba was idle Wednesday afternoon, but returns to the ice Wednesday evening to face Saskatchewan.

In other games Wednesday evening, Ontario plays New Brunswick, Canada plays PEI and Quebec plays Nova Scotia.

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