Friday 28 February 2020

#Brier2020 Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: Ready to Crown the Kingston Kings?
Who emerges above the rest for a Brier 2020 curling coronation?



A new Curling Queen was crowned last weekend in Moose Jaw when Kerri Einarson won her first Scotties title. The Curling Canada coronation street leads to Kingston, Ontario this weekend with the opening of the 2020 Tim Hortons Brier.

Will we see a new king take his spot on the ice throne? Or will a past champion reclaim the crown? And never underestimate the current King of the Ice, looking to #DefendTheIce and keep the Team Canada jacket.

We will have a Game of Thrones type of competition over the next week. Each team led by the patriarch of their homeland. Each homeland looking to defeat their opposition and park their sliders next to the coveted ice throne.

Cue the music.....

Wednesday 26 February 2020

#STOH2020 Parting Rocks

#BetweenTheSheets: Scotties Parting Rocks
Final thoughts, reactions and musings from Moose Jaw


The 2020 Scotties Tournament of Hearts has spun its final rock, pebbled its final sheet of ice and sold its final beer at the HeartStop Lounge. The rest is all history...or as we say #HERstory.

From heart stopping shots to breath taking moments to tears of joy (and some of sorrow), this years Scotties had a little something for every sports fan.

The Scotties in Moose Jaw also happened to be the first Scotties for the #TwineTime blog. Check off another blog bucket list item folks. Interestingly enough the 1998 Scotties (Regina) were the first curling event I ever attended live as a fan. And we have come full circle as the Scotties are one of the final major bucket list items to attend as a blogger.

As an aside, I ran into Kim Kelly leaving the arena for the final time Sunday night and had some time to chat with her. Her team, with Colleen Jones, and Team Schmirler were the two teams my grandparents and I watched and cheered for together. We also had our individual favourites as well but, collectively, we always came together wanting to see Team Jones and Team Schmirler win.

I had seen Kelly at Mosaic Place all week but she was either watching the games or chatting with fellow athletes or fans. I never wanted to interrupt her or bother her. Running into her on my final night, saying my final goodbye to the event, and sharing my thank you and appreciation for her as a player was the perfect sendoff for the blog experience. As you would expect she was gracious, polite and friendly the entire time. And I was more nervous speaking with her than I have been talking to many other curlers. Oh the memories folks...

Tuesday 18 February 2020

#STOH2020 Midterm Grades

#BetweenTheSheets: Midterm Report Card Revealed
Who is making the grade and who is coming up short in Moose Jaw?



Has it been a year already since Big Red jumped out of my Canada backpack and reared its judgement on the curling ice?

Reading week is around the corner for many students across the country. Students are looking at their midterm grades to see how much work they need to put in for the second half of the term.

The Scotties Tournament of Hearts is no different. Tuesday afternoon's draw marks the midway mark of the event. All 16 teams are still on the ice. Some are already eliminated. Some are in great shape to reach the coveted Championship Pool. And some are fighting for their championship lives.

Which teams are making the grade thus far and who has some work to do?

Sunday 16 February 2020

#WJCC2020 Preview

BetweenTheSheets: Rocks be Krackin' in Krasnoyarsk
The Siberian city hosts the World Junior Curling Championships


From Moose Jaw to Krasnoyarsk....welcome to another episode of "As The Rock Turns".

Lots of excitement on the pebbled ice this team of year rock heads. We have national championships underway (USA, Switzerland, Scotland, Japan). We have national championship about to throw their first rocks (Canada). And we are ready to crown new world junior championships.

If one eye is on the action in Moose Jaw, your other curling eye better be on the action in Siberia, Russia where the #NextGen athletes are ready to take the ice for the 2020 World Junior Curling Championships.

Friday 14 February 2020

#STOH2020 Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: Ready for Heart Pounding Curling?
Welcome to the 2020 Scotties Tournament of Hearts WITH FANTASY CURLING


The playdown parties are over. Everyone gathered across the country in their own province/territory to toss a few cold ones, dance the night away, survive some drama and ultimately celebrate victories.

But now we come together to host the big one. The collective national party known as the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

Put on your dancing shoes....or is it fanciest slider? Come wearing your best garb from Anne of Green Gables hair to fisherman headgear to watermelon hats. And bring your best cheer from the moose calls to the buffalo hunt. And dress for success in cheering on your home province/territory.

Ready for some heart pounding curling action from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan?

Wednesday 5 February 2020

#PlaydownAfterParty

#BetweenTheSheets: The Playdown After Party Invite
Finalizing (almost) the Scotties field, Brier provincial GOATs PLUS #FantasyCurling


We have navigated the playdown pre-party. We celebrated the playdown party. Are we ready to survive the playdown after party?

The Scotties playdown party has come to a close for another season. The 2020 Scotties field has been *almost* finalized. The final slot on the bingo card is reserved for our Team Wildcard winner. But more on that party in a moment.

The Brier playdown party is still going strong however. This is where we enter after party territory. The field is closing in on being complete but we still have two provincial championships to get excited for this week.

Are you ready to keep this party going until the sun comes up?