New Brunswick, N.W.T., win Scotties pre-qualifier opener

New Brunswick and Northwest Territories won their opening games of the Canadian women's curling championship qualifying tournament Thursday.

N.W.T.'s Kerry Galusha downed Yukon's Sarah Koltun 9-6, while New Brunswick's Melissa Adams defeated Geneva Chislett of Nunavut 11-6.

The three territories and one province are vying to be part of the 12-team field at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in St. Catharines, Ont. The main draw starts Saturday.

This will be the last year of the unpopular pre-tournament qualifier for the women's and men's national curling championships.

The format will be altered in 2018 to allow for more equal participation of all territories and provinces.