Continental Cup Of Curling: Kaitlyn Lawes adds her name to the “Stoughton Spinarama” hall of fame

Undoubtedly, there is serious business afoot at the Continental Cup in Penticton, British Columbia. No doubt there is pressure. There is great shotmaking and clutch performing evident.

But, there is time for lighthearted fun as well and that is in abundant evidence. Perhaps Team North America member Wayne Middaugh signalled as much when he tweeted out this message and photo the night before the competition.

Then there was Ben Hebert getting teammates Kaitlyn Lawes and John Morris to get a little cheeky during their mixed doubles match against Niklas Edin and Christina Bertrup.

It was during the 8th end of that match, a 10-3 win for North America, that Lawes channelled her "inner Stoughton," much to the delight of the players and spectators on hand.

Trailing 9-3, Edin decided to throw a "Stoughton spinarama," a move that was perfected by the Manitoba curler years ago.

Edin's done the move before, but Lawes was a newby.

"I can’t do that," she said in response to Morris' urging.

"Try something," he bellowed back as Lawes crouched in the hack at the other end.

With the crowd and players at both benches urging her on, the amiable Lawes summoned her gumption and let one fly.

“It’s not a bad shot either,” said TSN commentator Russ Howard, as Lawes' stone was settling in as a guard.

A look of satisfaction (and perhaps relief) was evident on her face as she said: “I’ve never done that before. That’s funny.”

After Lawes made the attempt, the pressure mounted for Bertrup to do the same. She considered it, even asked if the crowd would be satisfied if she instead threw one wrong-handed.

She then threw a normal shot and as she slid out, and said “I’m sorry!"

If you'd like to see how the whole thing played out, click here for the link to TSN's video of the entire game and skip to the 8th end.