#BetweenTheRings: Team Midterm Report Card
Are the Keys To Success actually working?
The curling team event has passed the midway point of the competition.
If we thought teams were feeling the stress before, imagine how they are feeling now?!
With 6 RR games in the record books, each team has 3 RR games remaining.
For most, they are battling for playoff spots.
For a few, they are looking to play spoiler.
And for one, they are looking to continue the momentum into the playoffs having clinched a spot after the last draw.
Are the Keys To Success actually leading to success on the ice?
In the Men's and Women's Team Preview blog posts, Keys To Success were identified for each of the teams competing in Beijing.
Let's go back and analyze those Keys To Success and see if they are holding true.
Are teams capitalizing on their strengths to pick up the wins? Or are they struggling to make their mark?
Bring out Big Red as we hand out the Midterm Grades based on how teams are applying their Keys To Success.
Midterm Grades
MEN
1. Sweden (Team Edin 6-0)
Keys To Success: Force Efficiency - Edin makes it very hard to score multiple points against him. This season he has a force efficiency ratio of 0.66, tied for 2nd best in the field with Norway (USA is first at 0.67). In PyeongChang, Edin only surrendered an end of 3 or more points twice. Once in the RR (last game vs. Norway) and of course the infamous 5-spot in the gold medal final vs. USA.
Midterm Grade: A+
The world champs have only allowed 24 points in 6 games. When you concede, on average, only 4 points per game, you are going to win 99.9% of those games.
We saw this in PyeongChang from #KingNiklas as well. He only gave up scores of 3+ points in an end twice.
How many times has he done so in Beijing? None!
Unless a team can find a way to score a big end on him, see USA in the gold medal match 4 years ago, this might be the year Edin completes the Olympic medal resume and cements his GOAT status.
Take note, they are the only team in the field, men's or women's, who WILL play for a medal. They locked up their playoff spot with their last RR win vs. ROC.
And they just applied pressure to the rest of the field.
2. Great Britain (Team Mouat 5-1)
Keys To Success: Score, Score Score - Team Mouat has no problems putting points on the board. This season they are averaging 9.27 points per game, the most in the field. As mentioned above, they are T2nd on points against at 5.22. You know the old curling recipe of Take 2, Give 1? Pretty sure this is the game plan Mouat has been using...and using it to perfection. If they can continue to toss big points on the scoreboard and continue limiting the damage, expect a strong run to the podium for the GB team.
Midterm Grade: A
Team GB has scored 43 points in 6 games, averaging to 7.17 points per game. They lead the field in this statistic and the results are showing.
Sure they are slightly below their season average of 9.27/game but they are still putting the points on the scoreboard and translating it into wins.
Their only loss thus far was to the other team in the field who had a high PPG ratio pre-event, USA. And the final score in that one was 9-7 for the Americans.
The "Take 2, Give 1" game plan is still working though. Plus Mouat and the boys are tacking on multi-score ends as well, having scored a 3 three times and even scored a 4 vs. China.
Speaking of the China game, they only scored in 2 ends but those were scored of 3 and 4 and that was enough for the 7-6 win.
Sometimes it is not about how many ends you win but rather how many ends you score big.
3. Canada (Team Gushue 4-2)
Keys To Success: Points Against - If this was poker we would say Gushue holds his cards VERY close to the chest. It is hard to get a read on him. And it is even harder to score against him. He is the class of the field when it comes to points against ratio this season. He is averaging 4.66 points against. The next closest team in this stat category is Edin and Mouat, tied at 5.22. If teams are going to beat him, they need to find a way to score multiple points with hammer. And those odds are not looking good.
Midterm Grade: A
Through 6 games Canada has only allowed 30 points against, averaging 5 points/game.
This stat is right on par with their season average of 4.66 and, as expected, is translating into wins.
They are tied for 2nd in this stat with Great Britain, trailing only Sweden who has allowed a competition low 24 points through 6 games.
Denmark and Norway both scored a deuce on Team Canada twice in their games but both of those were the opening 2 games of the competition for Gushue. And Canada still pulled out the Ws.
Since those games, no team has scored more than 1 multi-point end against the Canadians.
Even the loss to Switzerland, De Cruz could not generate a multi-score end at all. They secured the victory through timely steals, which Canada will have to tighten up on moving forward.
USA did drop a 3 on the board, the highest point total per end allowed by Canada thus far, but Canada was leading 7-1 when it happened.
Canada's ability to minimize the big ends against could be the difference maker if they reach the playoffs.
4. Switzerland (Team De Cruz 3-3)
Keys To Success: Hammer Efficiency - Switzerland needs to convert when they have hammer. They need to score multiple points when they have the chance. Going into Beijing, their hammer efficiency is 0.39, one of the lowest in the field. We saw this as a concern in PyeongChang when the team was only able to score 3+ points in 6 ends overall. And they played 12 games. They need to score more!
Midterm Grade: C-
Multi-point ends have been hard to find for the Swiss thus far...and their record shows it.
It is not that they are curling bad. They aren't. They are in the top half of the competition for overall team percentage.
But they are struggling to score. They have scored only 32 points thus far, averaging just over 5 points per game, the third lowest result in the field.
The amount of deuces they have scored? 6! An average of only 1 per game.
In fact, they failed to score more than 1 per end vs. Canada...yet still picked up the W with the steals.
They have drained the 3 ball twice but it was in the same game vs. ROC.
Their record has them right in the playoff hunt and, if the event ended today, they would nab the final playoff spot.
But if this team wants to take home another medal, similar to 4 years ago in PyeongChang, they need to find their offensive abilities. They play a strong D game but you still need to put points on the board, especially against those 3 teams currently ahead of them in the standings.
But hey, it worked vs. Team Canada for a W so who knows? That W is the only thing saving this grade.
5. USA (Team Shuster 3-3)
Keys To Success: #StealPants - Team Shuster has been rocking the #StealPants all season. They are picking the pockets of their opponents almost every time they step on the ice. Their steal efficiency rating is 0.32, 1st in the field this season. The next closest is Mouat at 0.31. They will need to pick some pockets along the way in Beijing if they hope to find success. Also remember, this stat is high but Shuster has not been playing the high ranked teams this season either.
Midterm Grade: F
Ok, I know this may seem harsh but remember we are handing out grades based on the Keys To Success.
USA has stolen 1 END ALL COMPETITION. ONE!
And that came in their opening game vs. ROC in the 6th.
They have played 5 games since. They have played 55 ends since and NO STEALS.
Sure they are sitting 3-3 and right in the playoff hunt but they need to get those #StealPants out of the washing machine in Beijing and put them back on if they are going to make a playoff push over the next few days.
Team Shuster has not been able to really apply the pressure on these top teams like we have seen them do to their competition during the season. Is it a testament to the quality of opposition? Perhaps.
But the game plan of picking pockets is still an advantage for this team and one they have turned into success.
They need to find that element of their game once again.
Can a lack of steals cost you a tournament? Probably not.
But can it make the difference between a Top 4 RR finish and 5th or 6th place? Quite possibly.
Right now, they are on the outside looking in.
6. ROC (Team Glukhov 3-3)
Keys To Success: Keep The Jekyll, Kill The Hyde - Both can show up on the ice during the competition for ROC. Team Glukhov needs to find the great doctor in themselves to stay calm and have the confidence in knowing they can win these games. But if the evil Mr. Hyde comes calling, and the team starts to struggle to gain momentum, they need to figure out how to put Mr. Hyde to rest. Two sides to the same coin. Which side triumphs could determine how this team performs in the #IceCube.
Midterm Grade: B
When the Jekyll and Hyde reference was used as the Keys To Success for ROC, it really pertains to the important factor this blog talks about quite often: Consistency, Consistency, Consistency.
Take a look at the ROC results: L, W, L, W, W, L.
The team is consistent with the results? Or are they consistently inconsistent with their momentum?
The swapping of W's and L's is not going to land you on the podium. It probably won't land you a spot in the playoffs.
This team needs to figure out how to build momentum after those wins.
Props for not taking back-to-back losses though so we do see progress towards the Keys To Success.
But look at their remaining schedule: Norway, Canada, Great Britain.
They MUST win at least 2 of those final 3 to have a shot at the playoffs.
7. Norway (Team Walstad 2-4)
Keys To Success: Stop The Steals - Team Walstad has the highest steal defense ratio in the field, sitting at 0.20. By comparison, the lowest steal defense ratio's belong to Canada/Great Britain (0.08) and Switzerland (0.10). They are getting their pockets picked way too often and will need to cut that down if they are to have success in Beijing. Whether it is a change of strategy or bailing out on a bad end earlier, they need to be aware of when they are in trouble and shift focus before it is too late.
Midterm Grade: B+
Hear me out folks. Yes, Norway is 2-4 and on the cusp of elimination. So how can they score a B+ here?
The Keys To Success for Team Walstad going into the competition was to stop hurting themselves by giving up steals in their games.
After 6 games, they have only conceded 3 stolen ends. You have to admit, that is very impressive. Especially for a team who did seem to struggle with this stat during their season.
Unfortunately for them, one of those stolen ends cost them the game vs. Sweden, conceding a steal of 2 in 10 of a tie game.
In fact, they allowed a steal of 2 early in the game vs. Great Britain which resulted in a loss.
Plus, against Denmark, they allowed a steal mid-game and ultimately lost in an extra end.
So they have cut down on the amount of steals; however, when they do get their pockets picked it results in a loss.
What is interesting is Norway has recorded the second highest number of stolen ends for during the competition, 6. Sweden leads the way with 8.
And they are the only team in the field yet to blank an end with hammer.
When Norway has hammer, someone is going to score. More often than not it is Team Walstad.
But if they are going to fight their way back into this competition, they are going to have to continue closing their pockets and protecting their wallets.
They close the competition with ROC, China and Italy so the opportunity is there to finish 5-4 and be in the playoff hunt.
8. China (Team Ma 2-4)
Keys To Success: Home Ice Advantage - Similar to what was said in the women's team preview with China's Team Han, Team Ma needs to try and ride the wave of support coming from the stands. They will be considerable underdogs against a very experienced field. But even an underdog finds a few bones along the way. Based on past Olympic men's team final standings, home teams are averaging close to a 7th place finish. If Team Ma can even replicate that result, it should be considered a successful showing for China.
Midterm Grade: B
Tough call here as we have not been able to see a ton of fans in the stands. But, when China is on the ice, you can hear cheers when they make great shots or put points on the board.
They entered the competition as the lowest ranked team in the field and have already picked up 2 wins, against Italy and Denmark.
The Keys To Success were using the home ice advantage with a goal of a Top 7 finish. They currently sit in 8th with victories over the two teams behind them.
Technically still in the playoff hunt, can they score some #TeamUpset wins in their final 3 games? They still play Canada, Norway and Switzerland.
All 3 of those teams are also fighting for playoff spots.
We saw Italy use home ice advantage vs. Canada in 2006.
We saw Korea use home ice advantage to score some big wins in PyeongChang in 2018.
Can China's Team Ma find one of those major signature wins on home ice in their final 3 games?
Take note, they are curling 84% as a team thus far, positioning them T5th in the field.
9. Italy (Team Retornaz 1-5)
Keys To Success: Use The Force - Besides Team Shuster (0.67) and Team Edin (0.66), Retornaz is one of the best teams at forcing teams to a single point when they have hammer. Their force efficiency ratio is 0.63. They do not get sucked into a complex game when they do not have hammer. And the Gentle Giant Mosaner can bail them out when needed with his vice stones. They need to capitalize on his ability combined with channeling their inner Yoda to keep games close and give themselves a chance late.
Midterm Grade: F
Italy has struggled. They have surrendered 49 points in 6 games. A point against per game average of 8.17, the most in the field.
When you are giving up around 8 points per game, it is going to be tough to pick up those wins.
The exact Keys To Success message has not been the game plan thus far and the 1-5 record is to show for it.
Italy is getting sucked into complex ends. They are giving up the big ends to their opposition.
They have given up 3 points per end 9 times thus far. This averages out to almost more than 1 huge multi-point end per game.
Ok sure, 3 of those were in 1 game vs. ROC but giving up 9 points over just 3 ends will likely result in a loss. And it did. Italy lost 7-10.
The playoff dreams are likely gone for this team now, which is unfortunate as many (this blog included) really had this team as being a possible "feel good" playoff contender.
Now they are left playing spoiler vs. USA and Norway with a game against Denmark sandwiched in between.
10. Denmark (Team Krause 1-5)
Keys To Success: Fly The Flag - Denmark needs to hit the ice proudly waving the Danish flag and embrace the #TeamUpset motto. They will be the underdog in almost every game (vs China could be considered a toss up for some). Use the underdog role to your advantage. When you can play freely with little expectation but know every W will be considered a surprise, sometimes the no pressure game plan can lead to great success. We saw it at the 2019 Euro's (I saw it first hand as I was there). Embrace the role, play your game and let the rocks spin where they may.
Midterm Grade: D
They may be flying the #TeamUpset flag but Beijing has been a struggle for Team Krause.
They are struggling to put points on the board, having only scored 25 points in 6 games.
They are collectively curling only 80% as a team.
And they sit at the bottom of the table in both of those statistics resulting in a bottom of the table overall record.
They have also conceded the second most points against (46) and have only been able to wear the #StealPants once throughout the entire competition.
They can still embrace the #TeamUpset role, especially now when they know they are likely eliminated from the playoff picture.
Denmark wraps up the RR with games against Sweden, Italy and USA.
Can they fly the upset flag against the undefeated leader? Against the defending champs?
WOMEN
1. Switzerland (Team Tirinzoni 5-1)
Keys To Success: #StealPants - Team Tirinzoni has not been known to steal often, sitting with a modest 0.27 steal efficiency this season, near the bottom of the field. We also saw this become an issue in 2018 where the team only stole 7 ends, compared to the medal teams stealing 13 (Sweden), 15 (South Korea) and 13 (Japan) respectively.
Midterm Grade: A+
Switzerland may not be the team who picks the most pockets in Beijing but they have been successful in improving this element of their game.
They have stolen 8 ends through 6 RR games, good for 4th in the field (Japan leads with 11).
When you consider the Keys To Success stating they only stole 7 total ends in PyeongChang and have already surpassed that mark, chalk this stat up to being a success in Beijing.
Not only are they stealing more but those stolen ends are coming at the perfect time.
They stole an extra vs. Great Britain in their opening game.
They stole in 10 vs. China when they had a slim 6-5 lead.
They stole 3 in 8 vs. ROC to break the game open and take an 8-4 lead late in the game.
They stole a total of 5 points over 3 ends vs. Canada.
All 3 of those games, with those timely steals, resulted in wins.
If they keep up that game plan, they may just become hold both world AND Olympic champion titles at the same time.
2. Sweden (Team Hasselborg 4-2)
Keys To Success: Close Games - Expect close games out of this team. This season they have averaged around 7 points for per game while allowing close to 6 points per game. The stat may be eyebrow raising but also shows this team is comfortable playing close games and has no problem going down to last rock dramatics to pick up a W.
Midterm Grade: A
Expect close game was the Keys To Success for Sweden. Well just look at the Points For / Points Against thus far.
Sweden has scored 39 points. Sweden has allowed 37 points.
An average per game score of 6.50 - 6.17. Pretty much one point different, to the good, per game.
And here they sit 4-2 with 3 games remaining.
This is exactly what we expected from Team Hasselborg at this point of the competition. They will have close games and, more often than not, they will secure the W in those close games.
They had one blowout win (10-4 vs. USA) and one lopsided loss (2-8 vs. Great Britain) but those almost balance themselves out to support the Keys To Success stat.
Should we expect similar in their final 3 RR games vs. Denmark, ROC and Korea?
They look like they are hitting their stride on the quest to #DefendTheIce.
3. Japan (Team Fujisawa 4-2)
Keys To Success: Steal Defense - Good luck trying to pick their pockets. They have the best steal defense in the field, a whopping 0.13. You have a better chance of scoring multiple points per end against them than you do stealing. Their force efficiency is tied for last in the field (0.51 with Canada) but their steal defense is the best. Teams may want to know those stats heading into the final ends of close games.
Midterm Grade: A-
We know Japan can steal. They lead the field with 11 stolen ends through 6 games. We saw similar in PyeongChang where they were one of the leaders in the stat.
But what about their Steal Defense?
Thus far they have only conceded 4 stolen ends and two came in their last game, a 5-10 loss to #PACC rival Korea.
Those steals vs. Korea came at pivotal times, one with Japan trailing 2-4 and the other trailing 4-7. Those steals were the nails in the coffin for the game.
But, on the positive, they have only conceded 2 additional stolen ends in 5 other RR games.
They are doing what they need to do, minimize getting their pockets picked while continuing to pick the pockets of the opposition.
The steal defense could play a big part in their final 3 RR games though. Great Britain, USA and Switzerland are in the top half of the table with stolen ends, similar to Japan.
Those games, and thus the playoff chances for all those teams, could come down to who can steal the W vs. a fellow playoff challenger.
4. USA (Team Peterson 4-2)
Keys To Success: Points, Points, Points - This team is averaging 9.62 points for per game. Scoring close to 10 points, on average, every game will result in more wins than losses. If they can continue to put up big point ends when they have hammer, they should score some big wins as well. In 2018 they were one of the lowest scoring teams. They seem to have found their offense heading into 2022.
Midterm Grade: B
USA has scored 41 points thus far, averaging to 6.83 points per game. A stat lower than their seasonal average but still a strong points for result.
However, they only sit 5th overall on this stat, right in the middle of the field. And there sits the problem.
When the teams around you in the standings are scoring more points, they are probably picking up more wins.
USA is right on the cusp of the playoff bracket, currently holding down the final spot.
They have the opportunity to move up...and also are in a position to be passed.
If USA can get back to their high scoring mentality we saw on tour earlier in the season, they could secure the required 2 wins they need in their final 3 games.
On the flip side, their final 3 games happen to be against Switzerland, Canada and Japan. All 3 are averaging a higher points per game ratio than the Americans.
This is going to get interesting....
5. Canada (Team Jones 3-3)
Keys To Success: Experience - Seems obvious but the team needs to draw on their experience being here, especially with second Jocelyn Peterman making her Olympics debut. Jones and Lawes have seen pretty much everything the sport can throw at them. And we know Jones is at her best when her back is against the wall and the pressure is on.
Midterm Grade: B
A 3-3 record at this point of the competition may seem disappointing to Canadian curling fans but don't throw in the towel and get down on your team yet my Maple Leaf friends.
Canada has struggled a bit with consistency, especially earlier in the competition.
Their record has seen them go W, L, L, L, W, W.
And that is where experience comes into play.
Some teams, some less experienced teams, may have crumbled after posting three straight L and with a 1-3 record.
Enter Jennifer Jones, Kaitlyn Lawes and Dawn McEwen.
Rather than beat themselves up and feel like they are letting down curling-craze Canadians back home, they buckled up and right the ship pulling off back-to-back wins and are firmly in the playoff hunt.
We have seen this narrative before from Jones, especially at the Scotties in the past. She struggles early. Takes a few losses. Looks defeated. And then rebounds and wins the entire competition.
This is feeling eerily similar. And their confidence is starting to peak.
And look at their remaining schedule: USA, China, Denmark.
A 6-3 record will punch the playoff ticket it seems. But 5-4 may come down to H2H. Canada has already lost to the 3 teams sitting atop the standings with USA up next.
Beat USA and they should secure their playoff spot, barring a #TeamUpset result of course (and Denmark did knock off Canada in PyeongChang).
6. South Korea (Team E. Kim 3-3)
Keys To Success: No Big Ends Against - This is a team who does not give up many points during a game. They are averaging 5.80 points against per game this season, the third best in the field.
Midterm Grade: B-
Korea has not lived up to their pre-event billing of minimizing their points against ratio.
Team Kim has yielded 43 points already this competition, averaging 7.17 points against per game. They sit 3rd overall on this stat. A stat where you want to sit lower down the ranking. Low is high and high is low when we talk about defense remember.
This is a tricky Keys To Success statement though. Overall Korea has only conceded three ends of 3+ points. A pretty solid stat overall and one many would consider successful.
Yet here they are allowing one of the highest points against per game and sit with a 3-3 record.
Are they giving up the big ends? No.
Are they giving up steals? 5 ends thus far, not bad.
Consistency is their issue: L, W, W, L, L, W.
Which team is going to show up to the next game? They have been unable to build any real momentum.
7. Great Britain (Team Muirhead 3-3)
Keys To Success: Points Against - This season the team has averaged only 4.88 points against per game, the best in the field. And the comparison is not even close. The next best team in this category is USA at 5.74, almost a whole point better. They are not giving up the big ends. We saw this in PyeongChang as well, with Muirhead only giving up 3+ points in an end twice (China, Japan).
Midterm Grade: A-
Defense was going to be the Keys To Success for Great Britain and, thus far, their defense has been the best in the field.
Through 6 RR games, they have only allowed 31 points against for an average of 5.17. This stat is right on par with their season average.
Keys to Success? Check!
So why are they only sitting 3-3 and on the outside of the playoff bracket right now?
One. Bad. End.
In each of their 3 losses, the L can really boil down to one bad end.
The #StealPants in the extra vs. Switzerland.
Korea scoring 4 in 9.
Canada scoring 3 in 5.
Those three ends ultimately costed GB those games. As a result, 3 losses on the table.
They can control their fate, to an extent, in their final 3 games vs. Japan, China and ROC.
If they run the table, they sit 6-3 and should make the playoffs.
They suffer one bad end in any of those games and take a loss, they could be in trouble.
They already lose the H2H vs. Canada, Korea and Switzerland but have the advantage over Sweden and USA.
8. Denmark (Team Dupont 2-4)
Keys To Success: Dupont Sisters - Madeleine and Denise will need to be on top of their game as skip and second while also mentoring their young teammates. Vice Mathilde Halse and lead My Larsen are only 22 years old. Actually Larsen will celebrate her 23rd birthday right before the competition hits the ice on February 9 (Happy Birthday!!). In fact alternate Jasmin Lander just turned 22 on February 4. This is a young team around the Dupont sisters. They will need to be leaders on and off the ice for this team to have success. Luckily both have a ton of international experience and can be the perfect mentors.
Midterm Grade: C+
Outside of the 2-7 loss to Great Britain, Denmark has been perhaps the toughest out in the field.
Just look at their final game scores: 7-6, 5-7, 7-8, 5-8, 2-7, 10-5.
Japan made a beauty in 10 to score 3 and really steal the W from the Danes 8-7.
Switzerland scored a pivotal 3 in 8 to secure their 8-5 win.
And now Denmark is sitting on the cusp of elimination, needing to run the table to keep the hopes alive.
This is where we will really see the Dupont sisters experience come into play.
Can they use their international championship experience to build some momentum off their last W vs. ROC?
I think their experience has helped them in those 2 wins and helped the team have close games vs. higher ranked opposition.
Now we need to see if they can turn the dial up a bit more and make a playoff push.
They end the RR vs. Sweden, Korea and Canada.
The Dupont sisters can not only increase their playoff chances with wins but they can play spoiler to teams who many considered podium threats.
As a team they are only curling 79% overall, ranking 9th in the field.
Yet, their Draw Shot Challenge has them sitting #2 overall.
9. China (Team Han 2-4)
Keys To Success: Home Ice Advantage - We saw how this worked out for Korea's Team Kim in PyeongChang. Can lightning strike twice on Olympic ice for the home nation? The 2021 world championship experience can help them, knowing they can compete (and defeat) the higher ranked opposition. Now if they can build confidence on top of feeding off the energy of the crowd in their games, they could surprise a few people.
Midterm Grade: C+
Similar to their male counterparts, Team Han sits 2-4 at this stage of the competition and is technically still in the playoff race.
The team has recorded victories over Korea and Sweden, the finalists from 2018.
We know this team can play and we know they can knock off any team here.
Home ice may have actually had a negative effect on them out of the gate. The stress of competing at home, with some fans in the stands, might have got in their heads during those opening tight losses to Denmark and Switzerland.
If they convert even one of those games into a W, they would be 3-3 and #TeamUpset would be flying the flag.
They end with ROC, Great Britain and Canada.
Now is the time where we see if home ice can pay off, when you are fighting to stay alive and playing teams right with you in the standings plus a team struggling.
I expect one more surprise W to come from this team to give those home ice fans something to cheer for.
The question is "Who will be their victim?"
10. ROC (Team Kovaleva 0-6)
Keys To Success: Force Efficiency - They have the second highest force efficiency of the field this season, coming in with 0.67. If they can use that game plan to their advantage in Beijing, watch out.
Midterm Grade: F
We have to feel for Team Kovaleva. This has been a tough competition.
The 2021 world silver medal winners are struggling. Who would have thought they would be the only winless team in the entire competition?
Some of us, myself included, thought they would make a run to the playoffs.
Yet here they are, the only team officially eliminated from the women's team competition and left just trying to play spoiler riding out their #Beijing2022 experience.
Nothing has gone their way.
They have only scored 30 points, 10th in the field.
They have allowed a whopping 57 points, most in the field.
They are curling 78% overall, 10th in the field.
They have only stolen 3 ends, 9th in the field.
And those big score ends? They have conceded 3+ points per end 6 times.
They have also had their own pockets picked 11 times.
Yup, it has been a rough go for the ROC. And we know this team is WAY BETTER than their record.
They close out the RR vs. China, Sweden and Great Britain.
Can they play spoiler and secure a W? Or maybe a few win even to end on a high?
#StayTuned
The 2022 Winter Olympics heads into the final stretch of competition this week.
The team RR portion will toss its final rock on Thursday with the SF scheduled for Friday and medal games over the weekend.
Once the Olympics wraps up, we get a brief period of less than two weeks until our next major curling event, the Tim Hortons Brier in Lethbridge.
The Brier field is taking shape after numerous provincial/territorial championships wrapped up over the weekend. Congratulations to those teams who claimed their purple heart and punched a ticket into the field.
The blog will return with a #Brier2022 preview closer to the event.
Until then, and as always, good luck and good curling!
No comments:
Post a Comment