#BetweenTheSheets: Power Rankings - Week 8
Canada vs. The World: Who is Winning?
Last week's #TourLifePredictions blog post previewed a full slate of World Curling Tour events across Canada.
The focus was on the emerging Canada vs. The World theme we are seeing in the sport.
International teams are not only competing in more tour stops in Canada (due to Canada offering more tour events perhaps but that is a whole other discussion) but are they also winning more compared to the home nation teams?
And, we are not only seeing an increase in international teams but also international representation.
This past weekend saw teams from Scotland, Korea, Japan, USA, Mexico and Portugal compete.
We will be seeing more representation at tour events later this month with Sweden, Germany, New Zealand and Guyana for example.
Open those welcoming arms Canadian curling fans...the world is coming!
So when the last rock stopped spinning on weekend action, who did come out on top: Canada or The World?
Perhaps it isn't entirely fair to just categorize all non-Canadian teams as "The World".
Maybe we need to break it down by World Curling Tour classification: Europe and Pan Continental.
Of course Pan Continental, for sake of this discussion, would then be separated by Canada vs. Pan Continental. But you get the point, right?
We need to note there were more Canadian teams competing overall so the statistical advantage will always be in Canada's favour.
For ease of comparison, lets just look at playoff brackets. Which region had the most qualifiers? Most finalists? Hoisted the most trophies?
Lets see how this weekend's action compared.
Canada: 14 (Saville) + 14 (Oakville) + 4 (Winnipeg) = 32
Europe: 3 (Oakville) = 3
Pan Continental: 2 (Saville) + 7 (Oakville) + 4 (Winnipeg) = 13
When we look at finals appearances, Canada had 6, Europe had 3 and Pan Continental had 3.
When we look at the champions numbers, Canada produced 4 champions, Europe and Pan Continental each had 1.
Of course we take this argument with a slight grain of salt given most European teams were not competing this week, having been on the ice in their home continent for events in August and beginning of September.
This was a solid weekend of results for the Pan Continental region. USA, Korea and Japan all had teams excel and make deep playoff runs.
And Europe, represented by Scotland, had 3 final appearances and 1 title. Almost perfection really.
But of course Canada reigns supreme with the overall numbers. Yes, more teams competing yields higher probability of success, but you still need to go out and win those games.
It will be interesting to keep a watchful eye on the Canada vs. Europe vs. Pan Continental results unfold this season, especially as we get into grand slam season.
Which "region" do you think will produce the most champions this year?
BTW, does anyone like this week's Power Rankings logo? 🤣
The search continues...
#TheRunback
🥌 Stu Sells Oakville Tankard (W) - Team Ha (KOR) def. Team Morrison (SCO): It took an extra end in a close back and forth battle for the Koreans to take home the title. Ha goes 6-1 on the weekend to claim the title, including a 3-1 RR record and playoff wins over Team Black (QF) and Team Strouse (SF) to reach the final. Morrison posted an identical 3-1 RR record to earn a QF bye in the playoff bracket where they defeated Team Yoshimura (QF) and Team Peterson (SF).
🥌 Stu Sells Oakville Tankard (M) - Team Mouat (SCO) def. Team Whyte (SCO): The All-Scot finale went to the world champs, defeating their rivals to claim the title. Mouat went a perfect 7-0 in claiming the championship, including a 4-0 RR record and playoff wins over Team Dropkin (QF) and Team Shuster (SF). Whyte also went 4-0 in the RR and reached the final equally undefeated after playoff victories over Team Purcell (QF) and Team Epping (SF).
🥌 Saville Shootout (W) - Team Homan (ON) def. Team Jones (MB): The Battle of #SuperSpare Skips in the finale! Heather Nedohin with Team Homan vs. Chelsea Carey with Team Jones. In a rematch of last year's final, the roles would be reversed. Last year went down to a final rock in 8, this year's final went to an extra end with Nedohin making the hit and stick FTW. Team Homan went 8-0 on the weekend, including a 5-0 RR record and playoff wins over Team Hunkin (QF) and Team Cameron (SF). Team Jones went 4-1 in the RR and picked up playoff victories over Team Fujisawa and Team Gray-Withers.
🥌 Saville Shootout (M) - Team Bottcher (AB) def. Team Schneider (BC): A final battle between the last 2 champions of this event: Brendan Bottcher (2014) and Catlin Schneider (2015 with Team Meachem). Bottcher reached the playoffs with a 4-1 RR record and made the final with playoff wins over Team Sluchinski (QF) and Team Tao (SF). Schneider had an identical record heading into the final, posting a 4-1 RR record and playoff wins over Team Wiebe (QF) and Team McEwen (SF). The final ended up being a RR rematch with a similar result as Bottcher defeated Schneider in Draw 9 action.
🥌 MCT Challenge (W) - Team Peterson (MB) def. Team Sasaki (JPN): Peterson sent the home province fans home happy after knocking off their Japanese opponents in the final, including coming back from a 2-5 deficit after 5 and picking up #StealPants in 7 and 8 to secure the title. Peterson went 2-1 in the RR and secured a spot in the final after a victory over Japan's Team Kanai in the SF. For Sasaki, they were a perfect 3-0 in the RR and posted a SF win over TB survivor Team Barker.
🥌 MCT Challenge (M) - Team Grassie (MB) def. Team Brundidge (USA): Grassie ensured a Manitoba Double in Winnipeg by defeating their US counterparts, which included scoring 4 in 6 to bring out the handshakes. Grassie barely survived the RR to reach the playoffs with a 1-2 record but #TeamUpset knocked off previously undefeated Team Calvert in the SF. Brundidge went 2-1 in the RR and also knocked off an undefeated opponent, Japan's Team Maeda, to reach the final. Brundidge's SF win avenged an earlier RR loss to Maeda.
🥌 Goldline Boucherville Mixed Doubles (MD) - Team St-Georges / Asselin (QC) def. Team Zheng / Pietrangelo (ONT): Chalk up a perfect weekend for the Quebec couple of Laurie St-Georges and Felix Asselin in claiming the MD title in Boucherville. The duo went 3-0 in the RR and secured playoff wins over Team Boyd/Wise (QF) and Team Laplante/Gibeau (SF) before winning the championship. Jessica Zheng / Victor Pietrangelo reached the playoffs with a 2-1 RR record and secured playoff wins over Team Gionest/Desjardins (QF) and Team Cheal/Cheal (SF). For Zheng/Pietrangelo, it is their second straight MD final in as many weeks. Another dangerous #TeamUpset MD duo to watch out for?!?!
🥌 Mixed Doubles Prague Open (MD) - Team Engler / Wunderlin (SUI) def. Team Abbes / Harsch (GER): The Swiss duo went a perfect 6-0 to claim the title in Prague, including a 10-0 victory in the championship final. After a 4-0 RR record, the Swiss knocked off Team Walczak/Augustyniak in the SF. For the Germans, they reached the playoffs with a 3-1 RR record and needed the long way to the final, picking up playoff wins over Team Udvardi-Palancsa/Nagy (QF) and Team Paulova/Paul (SF). Walczak/Augustyniak (POL) defeated Paulova/Paul (CZE) to capture the bronze medal.
How did last week's #TourLifePredictions go? Here is the summary:
🥌 Stu Sells Oakville Tankard (W) - 10 of 12 playoff qualifiers.
🥌 Stu Sells Oakville Tankard (M) - 9 of 12 qualifiers, including predicting the winner.
🥌 Saville Shootout (W) - 4 of 8 qualifiers.
🥌 Saville Shootout (M) - 7 of 8 qualifiers, including predicting the winner.
🥌 MCT Challenge (W) - 4 of 4 qualifiers, including predicting the winner.
🥌 MCT Challenge (M) - 2 of 4 qualifiers.
Overall, the predictions went 36 of 48 qualifiers and 3 tour winners.
The streak of scoring an "A" grade comes to an end this week. Still a solid weekend of predictions though with 75% qualifiers predicted and 50% champions.
How about a "B" grade this week?
And, for complete transparency, the blog will show a summary of the grades received for the predictions.
W7 - B
With the "A" streak broken after back-to-back weeks, the pressure will be on with next weekend's predictions to try and get back on track.
Lets head to the mountain and see if a busy weekend caused a shake up this week.
Remember the parenthesis number behind each team is where they were ranked in last week's Power Rankings post.
#PowerRankings
MEN
1. Team Mouat (LW: 1)
Last Week: Stu Sells Oakville Tankard - Champions
The world champs are 2 for 2 on tour this season, picking up another title in Oakville. The lads also are 13-1 on the season and riding an 11 game winning streak. Oh, and they finally ascended to the #1 spot on the world rankings. Note the blog Power Rankings has had them here for awhile though. 😉
2. Team Whyte (5)
Last Week: Stu Sells Oakville Tankard - Finalist
Why not make it a Scottish double atop the mountain? Back-to-back final appearances, and a SF result at their season opener, has the "other" Scottish lads sitting at 17-3 on the season. Now if only they can knock off their rivals Mouat in a final. Back-to-back finals is nice. Back-to-back final losses to Mouat still stings a bit. But when you can beat the rest and only lose to the best, it can be considered an early season success for sure.
3. Team Gushue (2)
Last Week: Did Not Compete (DNC)
Their spot near the top is beginning to crumble. Not due to results but rather lack of in comparison to the competition. When you don't hit the ice early in the season, teams who do will eventually pass you.
4. Team Retornaz (3)
Last Week: DNC
The early season tour win still holds value but the Italians will need to get back on the ice to hold their spot.
5. Team Dunstone (4)
Last Week: DNC
Still waiting for The Sheriff to arrive...
6. Team Bottcher (10)
Last Week: Saville Shootout - Champions
A solid season opening result for Team Bottcher. They start the season the same way they ended last season, with a winner's cheque to the bank.
7. Team Schwaller (6)
Last Week: DNC
A nice weekend off after a deep playoff run the previous weekend. Schwaller has momentum in September, something we saw last year as well.
8. Team Hoesli (7)
Last Week: DNC
The mountain is not going to punish young Hoesli for taking a weekend off, especially after the deep run they made at their last event. Can they maintain their Top 10 ranking though as more teams hit the ice and put together solid results as well?
9. Team Edin (8)
Last Week: DNC
While Team Edin did not hit competitive ice this weekend, they did step on the ice for a junior camp in Sweden. The best way to #growthesport is to give back to the sport.
10. Team Schneider (NR)
Last Week: Saville Shootout - Finalist
Catlin Schneider knew all eyes would be on him this season, stepping into the skip role of a provincial champion team. After a tough start to the season (going 1-2 in Leduc), Schneider seemed more comfortable in the role this past weekend and the winning results came to be. A run to the finals and 6-2 record is a slide in the right direction. Now the big question...what do we think about that facial hair look? 🤨 😏
Honourable Mention: Team Kleiter, Team Bryce, Team Brunner, Team Ramsfjell, Team Waddell
WOMEN
1. Team Homan (LW: 2)
Last Week: Saville Shootout - Champions
When the Top 3 teams on the mountain all enter the same event on the same weekend, the team who goes the furthest will likely emerge on top. Team Homan, with Heather Nedohin, did exactly that. And they are rewarded for the championship result. Welcome to the #1 spot!
2. Team Einarson (1)
Last Week: Saville Shootout - QF
A solid opening weekend of action for the Canadian champs. It wasn't perfect but they got the job done in qualifying for the playoffs and getting the slider moving. I don't see this team falling down the mountain very often...or very far.
3. Team Fujisawa (3)
Last Week: Saville Shootout - QF
A tour event win and a QF appearance to open the season is a solid start...and a nice buildup to defending the Pan Continental title in October.
4. Team Hasselborg (4)
Last Week: DNC
The Swedish Vikings enjoyed some family/mommy time...in the wake of still celebrating their Oslo Cup win from a weekend ago.
5. Team Wrana (5)
Last Week: DNC
Team Wrana plotted a plan to knock off rival Hasselborg and retake their spot ahead of them on the Power Rankings. Maybe? Probably not. But still fun to guess...
6. Team Jones (NR)
Last Week: Saville Shootout - Finalist
After slowing dropping down the mountain while their opposition was competing, Team Jones made a statement in their season opener. Sure, they were unable to #DefendTheIce in Edmonton but reaching the final with Super Spare Chelsea Carey is still a solid start to the year.
7. Team Strouse (8)
Last Week: Stu Sells Oakville Tankard - SF
The mountain loves a good #TeamUpset story and USA's Team Strouse continues to make moves. Another playoff appearance this past weekend continues to showcase how good this team is. Should we buy stock in this team now? You probably should have already.
8. Team Gray-Withers (9)
Last Week: Saville Shootout - SF
Speaking about a good #TeamUpset story, how about Alberta's Team Gray-Withers?! They sure love that Saville ice. From defending the title at the U25 #NextGen Classic to a SF run at the Saville Shootout. The question will be how they respond to their "dark horse" status now...and can they produce similar results away from the friendly confines of Saville?
9. Team Ha (NR)
Last Week: Stu Sells Oakville Tankard - Champions
They may have lost their Korean title in June but the motivation to compete, and win, remains high for Ha. When you know you aren't going to represent your nation at a continental championship and world championship, many might find that demoralizing to play a season. But Ha is making a push for that Grand Slam of Curling ticket and moving up the rankings, sitting #18 and on the cusp of #gsoc qualification.
10. Team Gim (6)
Last Week: Saville Shootout - RR
Not the start to the season many expected from the new Korean champs. A slow start in Edmonton hurt them as they just missed the playoffs. And, to add insult to injury, they watched their Korean counterparts take home a title in their season opener.
Honourable Mention: Team Morrison, Team Roervik, Team Inglis, Team Cameron, Team Black
Agree? Disagree? What would YOUR Top 10 look like?
Share your thoughts with the #PowerRankings and reveal your Top 10 mountain on social media or in the comment section below.
#StayTuned
You know the routine. The blog will be back later in the week to preview all the tour events happening this upcoming weekend.
The blog also hit the ice last weekend for a curling practice session. It might be time to join a league??
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