Playdowns Preview II

#BetweenTheSheets: Playdown Party Approaches Midnight

We have winners, upsets and controversy after a busy playdown weekend

The #TwineTime blog promised you last week you were about to step foot into the playdown party right? Well what a party is has been...and the party on ice is still going folks.

This past weekend we had celebrations, upsets, controversy, debate, welcome back's and implosions. There really was something for us all to like at this party. And the clock is only starting to approach midnight.

With the party continuing on into the night hours, what does the curling world have in store for us next?

Playdowns Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: It's Playdown Party Time!

Time to fill in the names of Scotties and Brier representatives

As the World Curling Tour season starts to come to a close, we turn around and welcome the high-pressured drama of Playdown Season. With the Scotties only a mere few weeks away, provincial/territorial championships have either concluded or are underway as we move closer to filling in the names on the competition lines.

This is the action-packed week where we have 5 provincial women's championships to keep our eyes on. Not to mention 2 provincial men's championships. Which, as an aside, do we like the joint hosting of men's and women's provincials? It sure seems to make things easier from a logistical point of view, especially for a few of the smaller provinces like New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It could never be done for say Manitoba or Alberta but Ontario is doing it now so maybe it is not such a stretch. Things that make you go hmmm?!?

Anyway, back to the real topic at hand: Welcome to Provincial Playdown Party Time!!

#CJCC2019 Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: Re-Writing History in Prince Albert?

Familiar faces take the ice at the Canadian Junior Curling Championships

Welcome to the Season of Champions portion of the 2018/19 curling season. After all the world curling tour events and Curling World Cup legs and Grand Slam of Curling excitement we are finally ready to play for the big ticket item: Team Canada jackets!!

The 2019 Canadian Junior Curling Championships will claim Prince Albert, Saskatchewan as home for the next week as teams representing their province/territory look to navigate a difficult slide path from pool play to championship pool play to playoffs to ultimately being crowned the new Team Canada. For the men's and women's teams who do emerge with the title next weekend they will feel the pride of playing for a world championship as the home nation at the 2019 World Junior Curling Championships in Liverpool, Nova Scotia.

LOTS of pressure, stress, drama and excitement for all the players who qualified to compete this week. And think, what were you doing in January when you were 18 or 19 or 20 years old?

#WQE2019 Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: World Qualification Event Preview

Which member associations seize the last chance to qualify for world's?

Many curling eyes will be wide open to the bright lights in Las Vegas this weekend for the Continental Cup, cheering on some of their favourite teams and athletes. However, while many of the "elite" are enjoying their time in Vegas there are a few teams fighting for a spot in the world championship field.

2019 marks the first time the World Curling Federation hosts a last chance World Qualification Event for member associations who have failed to qualify for the world championships via their continental qualification.

If you want to compete with the world's best, this is your time to prove you belong on the big ice. Fun in the sun for some in Vegas but high pressure and increase stress for others on the other side of the world.

#PowerRankings W20

#BetweenTheSheets: GSOC, Scotties, Brier...Oh My

Welcome 2019: Time to enter the Danger Zone of High Pressure for teams

What a way to slide into 2019 this past weekend. We had a grand slam of curling major producing some interesting results. Plus we started down the road to Sydney, Nova Scotia and Brandon, Manitoba for the Canadian championships.

Welcome to curling in January where the importance of games, the high pressure to perform and the stress level of athletes starts to reach a fever pitch. For some teams, failing to advance out of a regional playdown could spell the end to your season two weeks into the new year. While for others, it is a win and in mentality.

For many slam teams, the Canadian Open was the last event before entering provincial playdowns. The last opportunity to hone down on some skills or play with line-up configurations or just get ready for, arguably, the most important part of the season.

Canadian teams build towards the Scotties and Brier and now is the time to put up or shut up on the season. Leave your excuses on the bench and make the shots or see your season come to end sooner than you would prefer.

#CanadianOpen Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: Bracketology Battle in Battleford

The rings run red for the Canadian Open

"Red Rings. Red Rings. Red Rings."

If you go stand in your bathroom, lights off, look into the mirror and say the above three times in a row, a haunting image of Kevin Martin will look deep into your curling soul!

Ok so maybe that is just a curling urban legend (that I also may have just created right now) but the rings are about to run red for the annual Canadian Open, the third major of the Grand Slam of Curling season.

January brings cold, snow and grand slam curling action folks. And this is one of my favourite #gsoc events of the season.

#PowerRankings W19

#BetweenTheSheets: 1st Power Rankings of 2019

Who starts the year at the top and who is making the big moves?

Shuvo Nabo Barsho.
Xin Nian Kuai Le.
Onnellista Uutta Vuotta.
Bonne Annee.
Prosit Neujahr.
Felice Anno Nuovo.
S Novim Godom.
Gott Nytt Ar.
Sawadee Pee Mai.
Happy New Year.

Wherever you are from. Whatever your heritage background is. The language may be different but the message is the same. Happy New Year rock heads and stoners and welcome to 2019.

I hope you all had a great holiday season and were able to take some time surrounding yourselves with loved ones, great food, positive energy and deserving rest. As we head into January, #BellLetsTalk month, we must ensure we take care of ourselves and each other!

But all good things must come to an end right? Time to get back to work. Lets talk curling!

#QMDC Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: Lets Talk Mixed Doubles

Qualico Mixed Doubles Classic rings in 2019

Helllloooooo 2019! Bring on another calendar year of curling fun and excitement.

After the champagne has stopped bubbling and our New Year's Eve regrets become a distant memory, curling takes centre house once again. No rest for the wicked as they say as the 2018/19 curling season rolls on.

But while many people continue to focus on the men's and women's #wct and the anticipated lead-up to the Scotties and Brier, the #TwineTime blog wants to start 2019 shifting focus to the infant in the curling family: Mixed Doubles