2016 Scotties Final: Alberta vs Northern Ontario tale of the tape

The Scotties Tournament of Hearts reaches its climax, tonight, with Alberta taking on Northern Ontario for the national women's curling championship, in Grande Prairie, Alberta (8:30 pm ET on TSN).

Alberta, skipped by Chelsea Carey, is looking for its first Scotties championship since 2012. Two of Carey's current teammates were part of that team, skipped by Heather Nedohin at the time. Third Amy Nixon was an alternate on that squad, while Laine Peters played lead. Carey won a bronze medal at the 2014 Scotties, when she skipped the Manitoba champions. Second Jocelyn Peterman is playing in her first Scotties.

Northern Ontario, skipped by Krista McCarville, seeks its first ever Scotties title, as it had not previously been entered as a separate entity until last year. McCarville has skipped Ontario at Scotties tournaments in 2006, '07, '09 and '10, with one bronze medal to her credit. Second Ashley Sippala was on the 2010 rink that scored bronze, while lead Sarah Potts served as an alternate. Third Kendra Lilly is playing in her first Scotties.

Here is a breakdown of some of the statistical numbers ahead of the championship game:

These teams have met just once this season, and that was earlier in the week at The Scotties, with Alberta taking a 9-8 decision.

Carey has led Team Alberta to a record of 10 and 2 so far, including Friday night's impressive win over Team Canada in the 1 vs 2 game, earning a berth in the final. Team Carey's win/loss record so far this season, including games at The Scotties, is 58 and 30, according to statistics found at CurlingZone.com.

McCarville's Northern Ontario team has a Scotties record of 9 and 4, including playoff wins over Manitoba and Saturday night's come from behind, 7-5 win over Jennifer Jones and Team Canada, in the semi-final. Team McCarville's win/loss record this season is 38 and 9.

Alberta has outscored its opponents 85-64 this week, averaging 7.08 points for per game and 5.33 against. Northern Ontario has outscored its opponents 93-74, averaging 7.15 points per game for and 5.69 against.

Alberta was second in the round robin when it came to overall team shooting, coming in at 84%. In their 1 vs 2 playoff game on Friday night, Alberta shot 92% as a team. Northern Ontario tied for fourth, at the end of the round robin, shooting 82%. In their playoff win over Manitoba, they shot 81% and then followed that up with a mark of 80% in their win over Team Canada in the semi-final.

Below, each player's cumulative shooting percentage from round robin games and their ranking at the position. (Alberta on the left, Northern Ontario on the right):

Leads: Laine Peters, 86% (ranked 5th). Sarah Potts, 87% (2nd).

Seconds: Jocelyn Peterman, 81% (5th). Ashley Sippala, 80% (6th).

Thirds: Amy Nixon, 84% (3rd). Kendra Lilly, 81% (6th).

Skips: Chelsea Carey, 84% (2nd). Krista McCarville, 80% (3rd).

Carey's percentage soared to 96% in the 1 v 2 game against Jennifer Jones, punctuated by a superb draw to the button for a deuce in the first end and a difficult double for two points in the eighth end. She and her Alberta team had a sensational night, with Nixon's percentages jumping to 94% and Peterman's leaping to 91%. Peters matched her round robin numbers with an 86%.

On the Northern Ontario side, McCarville's numbers were off in both playoff games. She shot 70% in the 3 vs 4 game win over Manitoba and then 75% in the semi-final win over Team Canada. Sippala slipped, too, with playoff numbers of 78% followed by 75%. Lilly stayed in the neighbourhood of her round robin numbers, scoring 80% and then 79%. Potts bettered her round robin percentages by jumping to 95%, followed by 91%.

Carey's Alberta squad is ranked 7th on the planet, according to the World Curling Tour's Order of Merit standings (year to date). McCarville's crew is ranked 20th.

Carey's team has lost four semi-finals at World Curling Tour events this season. They have also lost in two finals. At Grand Slam events, they lost in the semis at the Canadian Open, lost a tie-breaker at The Tour challenge and missed the playoffs at The National. They defeated Team Val Sweeting to win the Alberta Scotties.

McCarville's team has not played in any Grand Slam competitions. They have won all five events they have played in this season, including the Northern Ontario Scotties, where they defeated Team Tracy Fleury.

Quick notes: Northern Ontario has stolen 22 ends at this competition, while Alberta has stolen 14 times.... Chelsea Carey's draw percentage in 12 games is 82% (84 draws) while Krista McCarville's draw percentage in 13 games is 73% (116 draws).... Carey has thrown 146 takeouts for 87%, while McCarville has thrown 137 takeouts for 84%.