#BetweenTheSheets: Bracketology in January
Third major of the season bring March Madness to the ice
Ugh it is so cold outside. Literally an igloo through most of Canada. January. The time of year we all ask ourselves, "Why do we live in Canada?"
Of course then we take a look at a few other places in the world and realize our cold temperatures can be managed for most of us. The price we pay for other benefits I suppose.
But aside from bone-chilling temperatures, it is literally -37C outside right now, there are some positives to January. The sport of curling heats up with another slam plus some national and provincial/territorial championships.
And the Men of Curling calendar is officially in play. Hello Mr. January Craig Savill, who is currently in Finland coaching Czech Republic's Team Klima at the World Qualification Event.
The January curling calendar brings forward another exciting sports theme: Bracketology!
If you are a regular reader to this blog you already know I have a (un-?) healthy relationship with March Madness and Bracketology. I love it. I love the drama of it all. I love seeding teams. I love BracketBusters. I love upsets.
For curling, the Canadian Open is the one event on the Grand Slam of Curling calendar where we eliminate the sometimes boring round robin system and bring on the triple knockout format.
Welcome to Bracketology on Ice!
Look triple knockouts are not uncommon in curling I get it. Most of you play them at weekend bonspiels. Most of the events on the World Curling Tour are triple knockouts as well. Teams are used to it. Fans are familiar with it.
But for some reason when it comes time for the Canadian Open it is just more exciting. Maybe because we are seeing the best in the world all in one bracket battling for slam supremacy. Or maybe we are all freezing from the cold temperatures our judgement has us excited for anything to distract us. Either way, I love the Canadian Open!
The Canadian Open is my favourite event to preview on the #gsoc calendar. I love March Madness. I love #Bracketology. I love watching high seeds win but I enjoy watching underdogs knock off the favourites. Can you set the perfect bracket? Or will you suffer the fate known as #BracketBusted.
For this year's preview the blog will seed the teams based on the current #PowerRankings. Now of course I realize the seeding will be slightly different than how the teams were actually seeded for the event. A quick resume check for each team to help you navigate your bracket and then the blog will actually fill out a complete men's and women's bracket.
Never has this been done before where the blog actually releases the full draw by draw prediction but this is #Bracketology right? Go big or go home. For #MarchMadness you have to release your entire bracket for the world to see. Why should curling's version be any different? The blog will even reveal the #Elite8 bracket, known in curling as the playoff bracket.
Time to set your bracket. Pick your favs. Find your #BracketBuster. And enjoy some Grand Slam of Curling action from the frightfully cold Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
#TourLifePredictions
Yortkon, SK
2019 Champions: Team Bottcher (men) and Team Homan (women)
Format: 16 team triple knockout with 8 qualifiers
MEN
Seeds:
(1) Team Bottcher - Can the train keep rollin' on the cold prairie ice of Yorkton? Will the boys from Alberta be able to #DefendTheIce? Pressure on Team Bottcher entered the slam as the top seed. They sit atop the Power Rankings mountain now but failing to replicate the magic of a year ago would take a hit on their point total and they could be primed for a fall. They did reach the QF at the last slam, The National, along with SF results at the Canada Cup and the #wct event in Karuiawa. But they also looked a bit out of sorts at the Continental Cup. Which team shows up in Yorkton and how can they handle the stress of being defending champs? Winning is one thing. Defending is another.
(2) Team Edin - No team has been on a steadier climb towards the end of 2019 than Sweden's Team Edin. The Euro win seemed to spark something in the #SwedishVikings and they look like the dominant team we have grown to expect. They reached the final at The National plus a final appearance in Karuizawa. Not to mention the team looking great, while having fun, in London helping Europe claim back-to-back Continental Cup championships. They also reached the SF here last year so watch out.
(3) Team Koe - Team Koe has seemed a bit off this season haven't they? Or is it just me? Strong results but no championship wins...yet. Seems weird?! Could this be the time? A finals appearance at the Canada Cup. A QF showing at The National. They reached the QF here last year. We know this is a great team. But when will they finally win an event this season?
(4) Team Jacobs - On the flip side to Team Koe, Northern Ontario's Team Jacobs continues to win. They have won back-to-back slams (Tour Challenge, National) and are looking for the elusive #3peat with a victory here this weekend. It will be interesting to compare how they fair compared to teams who competed at the Continental Cup last week. Will the rest help or the lack of competitive games over the holiday break hinder? They have momentum. They have confidence. This is a very dangerous favourite.
(5) Team Mouat - Speaking of the #Fav tag, why not place Scotland's Team Mouat in the discussion? Technically they are perfect in 2020 thus far, having won the Perth Masters and success at the Continental Cup. They looked great in London too, very strong and very confident. They reached the SF at The National. They reached the QF here last year. This may be the most dangerous #5 seed in the history of the bracket.
(6) Team De Cruz - A former champion back looking to regain the title. The 2018 champ from Switzerland continues to fly under the radar a bit at slams. And honestly I do not know why. Why do people continue to not list them as a favourite or top contender? They have the skill. They have won a slam before. The are a consistent medal threat and podium finisher at world championships. They landed on an Olympic podium. The resume seems pretty impressive to me. They have also been playing some great curling the past few months. QF at The National. SF at Perth Masters. Part of the Continental Cup victory once again. They stumbled to a 2-3 record here last year, missing the playoffs as defending champs. The pressure is off this time around though. Time for revenge?
(7) Team Epping - Last years finalists enter with a bit of a question mark surrounding them. Which team shows up in Yorkton? The one that looked unstoppable at the Canada Cup when they booked the first ticket to the Canadian Olympic Curling Trials? Or the one who stumbled to a 1-3 finish at The National? Epping looked great at times at the Continental Cup but struggled at others. Of course an exhibition event where line up changes happen all the time is not a great indicator but does it help the confidence and momentum either for a team? Epping is a proven winner. A previous champion here (2015) and a Grand Slam champion (won all 4 #gsoc majors). Never count him out.
(8) Team Gushue - See Koe above? Strong some weeks, struggling the others. Consistency has been a bit of an issue for Team Gushue this season. They reach the first two slam finals of the season (Masters, Tour Challenge) and reach the SF at the other (The National). The slam results have been strong. But then they have these dips in performance. The struggle at the Canada Cup. Failing to qualify recently at the Perth Masters. From a pure slam resume, this team will make the playoffs. They reached the SF last year remember. But the overall body of work for the season, who knows what to expect? They can be unbeatable at times but defeated at others.
(9) Team McEwen - The Manitoba champs are slowly moving back up the rankings mountain after early season struggles. They reached the QF at the Tour Challenge. They reached a tour final in Penticton. A QF result at The National. Another tour final at the Perth Masters to open 2020. If the trend continues we should pencil them in for a QF result in Yorkton, yes? They went a dismal 1-3 last year at this event so lots of opportunity to gain valuable ranking points this year. You just wonder if this team still believes they can knock off those teams ranked ahead of them on a regular basis or not. The confidence has not looked as strong this season.
(10) Team Paterson - The Scots have actually played a relatively quiet tour season this year. A QF showing at The Masters. The Euro bronze medal win. But other than that, not too much to get excited about. The struggled at The National. They did reach the QF in Perth though, so some momentum heading into 2020. They are slowly watching Team Mouat regain traction as the top Scottish team though. They need to catch up. There will also be a mild change in formation for Team Paterson. Duncan Menzies is unable to join the team in Yorkton due to illness so Craig Waddell will serve as super sub this week.
(11) Team Schwaller - Speaking of playing catch-up, what do you think Team Schwaller is thinking? They win a Euro silver medal for Switzerland but still find themselves ranked below national rivals Team De Cruz and still struggling to find consistent results as well. They failed to pick up a win at The National. They failed to qualify in Perth. And when we look at their overall #gsoc record this season, they actually only have 1 win...and that came back at The Masters. They are riding back-to-back 0-for records at the past two slams. Can they turn it around in a triple knockout format?
(12) Team Dunstone - Speaking of struggles, what about Masters champion Team Dunstone? Since their slam breakthrough the boys from Sasky have 1 win at the Tour Challenge, 0 wins at the Canada Cup and 1 win at The National. Yikes! They need to rediscover the magic they had at the beginning of the season...and fast. Last year they went 2-3 here, failing to qualify. With the Sask Tankard around the corner, Dunstone could use some confidence and momentum heading into the second half of the season. Luckily they will have strong support from the home province fans, which could help them in tough, close games. If we use March Madness rules, the #12 seed is always considered the most dangerous double digit seed in the group.
(13) Team Gunnlaugson - Unlucky #13? Well if Dunstone cannot capitalize on the high-profile #12 seed, Team Gunnlaugson could be your #BracketBuster this week. They come to Yorkton fresh off a tour title win last weekend in Tempe, AZ. Not to mention SF and QF appearances in their last two events of 2019. We only saw them compete at one slam thus far this season, where they went 2-2 at Tour Challenge. They competed here last year, finishing 1-3. But this is a sneaky team in the bracket and one with some momentum. Keep your eyes on this team.
(14) Team Dropkin - Ah the trendy top pick for #BracketBuster of the event will be USA's Team Dropkin. And why not? Unlike the other teams in this event they literally won their spot in the field when they claimed the Tour Challenge Tier II title back in November. This will be their #gsoc debut at the top level. How they handle the pressure is going to be key. If they can block out the distractions and media and crowd and just focus on the game they want to play, they could bust many brackets along the way. If they cave in to the pressure, which happens to many rookie teams on slam ice, it could be a quick debut appearance. However they also come to Yorkton on a two event winning streak: Tour Challenge, Curl Mesabi.
(15) Team Howard - Still going strong on the slam ice and never a team to count out. Howard reached the QF here last year and will look to replicate or go a few rounds better in 2020. They have had some solid slam results this season, reaching the QF at The Masters and the Tour Challenge. But they also went 1-3 at The National and only picked up 2 wins at the coveted Canada Cup. Which team shows up this week? The strong slam playoff contender we saw at the start of the season or the one struggling for wins against the top teams during the end of 2019?
(16) Team Muyres - Welcome another Sasky team into the field. The defending Sask champs earned the Sponsor's Exemption spot into the 2020 field this year. Last year Muyres competed at this event as well, having won the Tour Challenge Tour II. It wasn't the best result however, going 0-3 and an early elimination. They did compete at the Golden Wrench last weekend, reaching the QF, so they have some momentum and competitive curling under their slider already for 2020. Plus they did reach the SF at the Tour Challenge Tier II this season. But the #16 seed is the least likely to find success in a bracket challenge. They will have their backs against the wall and are considered the long shot. But they will have home province fans cheering them on. And who doesn't love a good underdog story.
#TwineTime Bracket:
A Event
(4) Jacobs def. (15) Howard
(11) Schwaller def. (9) McEwen
(5) Mouat def. (14) Dropkin
(2) Edin def. (12) Dunstone
(7) Epping def. (16) Muyres
(3) Koe def. (6) De Cruz
(8) Gushue def. (13) Gunnlaugson
(1) Bottcher def. (10) Paterson
(4) Jacobs def. (11) Schwaller
(5) Mouat def. (2) Edin
(7) Epping def. (3) Koe
(8) Gushue def. (1) Bottcher
(4) Jacobs def. (5) Mouat
(7) Epping def. (8) Gushue
B Event
(9) McEwen def. (15) Howard
(12) Dunstone def. (14) Dropkin
(6) De Cruz def. (16) Muyres
(13) Gunnlaugson def. (10) Paterson
(12) Dunstone def. (9) McEwen
(6) De Cruz def. (13) Gunnlaugson
(2) Edin def. (11) Schwaller
(3) Koe def. (1) Bottcher
(8) Gushue def. (12) Dunstone
(5) Mouat def. (6) De Cruz
(2) Edin def. (3) Koe
C Event
(14) Dropkin def. (15) Howard
(10) Paterson def. (16) Muyres
(1) Bottcher def. (14) Dropkin
(10) Paterson def. (11) Schwaller
(13) Gunnlaugson def. (9) McEwen
(6) De Cruz def. (1) Bottcher
(12) Dunstone def. (10) Paterson
(3) Koe def. (13) Gunnlaugson
Qualifiers: Team Jacobs, Team Epping, Team Gushue, Team Mouat, Team Edin, Team De Cruz, Team Dunstone, Team Koe
#Elite8 Bracket:
QF
(4) Jacobs def. (3) Koe
(2) Edin def. (5) Mouat
(7) Epping def. (12) Dunstone
(8) Gushue def. (6) De Cruz
SF
(4) Jacobs def. (2) Edin
(8) Gushue def. (7) Epping
Canadian Open Men's Championship: (8) Team Gushue def. (4) Team Jacobs
WOMEN
Seeds:
(1) Team Hasselborg - No question here on who owns the #1 ranking. Winner of the past two slams (Tour Challenge, The National). Winner of the European championship, again. Continental Cup champs, again. And a SF result back at The Masters. These #SwedishVikings are on fire this season and look unbeatable. They will aim for the #3peat, similar to Team Jacobs above. Team Homan was the last to accomplish the feat, can Team Hasselborg be the next? They did fail to make the playoffs here though last year. But that is really the only knock against them here. Huge favourites!
(2) Team Fleury - Masters champs. Canada Cup runner-up. National SF. Tour Challenge QF. Can't argue against that resume for the season. Fleury should come into this event as team to watch out for and not only a playoff contender but a championship threat. The team did struggle at the Continental Cup but it was their debut in the exhibition event so maybe nerves came into play, coupled with the fact their overall team struggled and they were always trying to play catch-up. Expect a deep run here.
(3) Team Einarson - Fleury continues to surge, leaving some to perhaps overlook Team Einarson. But I am not sure they mind the spotlight off of them a bit for once. This team stood under the bright lights all last season with people wondering how #TeamSkipper would perform. They had a breakout rookie season and silenced the critics. They came into this season on the Scotties contender short list and a favourite to pick up a few slams. They reached the Tour Challenge final. They saw a QF finish at The Masters. But they did not end 2019 on a high, struggling at the Canada Cup and The National. Slight blip on the radar or telling sign of things to come? Similar to our men's #3 seed, solid team capable of winning this slam. But consistency has not been there as of late.
(4) Team Tirinzoni - A championship team people continue to underestimate. Why? The defending world champions continue to gain little hype from media and fans alike heading into slam events. This is perhaps the best "under the radar" category team in the history of the "under the radar" category. But I also do not think they mind it one bit. They can focus on them, go about their business and quietly make another deep playoff run on slam ice. A SF result at The Masters. QF at the Tour Challenge. A bronze medal win at the European Championships. And arriving in Yorkton after playing great in the Continental Cup. Ok sure they missed the playoffs at The National, finishing 2-2, but not a reason for concern....yet! Dangerous, dangerous #4 seed.
(5) Team Fujisawa - The #5 men's seed is the blog pick to win the championship, why not also on the women's side. Five Alive indeed! Watching how this team played at The National with only three players, would you want to play them at the Canadian Open at full strength? They have reached the SF at the past two slams now (Tour Challenge, National) as well as a QF result at The Masters. Plus they are a HUGE fan favourite regardless of where they play so fan support will be strong. Considering there is no Sasky women's teams in the field this year (huge missed opportunity on the sponsor invite), the green faithful may just rally around this team. Plus what an opening draw they were handed, against Japanese rivals Team Yoshimura.
(6) Team Homan - The defending champions sitting as a #6 seed? Really? Almost shocking right? But that is what happens when you win a few slams the season prior and fail to #DefendTheIce the next year. Your ranking drops. Homan had been atop the Power Rankings mountain most of the season but took a tumble after The National. One win at The Masters, Two wins at the Tour Challenge. One win at The National. Zero playoff appearances. Stunning! Luckily they have the Canada Cup win to salvage the season resume but it has not been a Homan-esque season. Judging by comments made at the Continental Cup, I bet this team is happy to get back to just playing (and talking) with one another only.
(7) Team J. Jones - It was a bit weird not to see Jennifer Jones at the Continental Cup right? You almost expect her to always be on Team Canada (or Team North America or whatever they want to call it in the future). But perhaps not playing will be a blessing for this team. They are coming off a finals appearance at The National before the holidays so there will be some momentum and confidence. Not to mention they did reach the QF at the other two slams this season. Yes the Canada Cup was a disappointment but Jones is a seasoned vet and knows you can't win them all. Sitting as a #7 seed, they may fly a bit under the radar here. I would be very concerned to see this team qualify out of the B event though. It would mean they took an early loss, which Jones is prone to doing, but then found their footing and regained momentum.
(8) Team Carey - Speaking on momentum, will this finally be the event where the defending Canadian champs find some? One win at The Masters. Zero wins at the Tour Challenge. The slams started a bit rough for Team Carey. Then they reached the SF at the Canada Cup. They carried some momentum into The National and made the QF. There is not a lot of Scotties prep left for this team. Having the direct berth as Team Canada, the other top teams head into provincial playdowns next while Carey is left hitting the practice ice. A nice deep run here sure would help the confidence going into defending a Scotties title next month in Moose Jaw.
(9) Team Walker - The Sponsor's Exemption team, sitting as a #9 seed? Don't knock the Power Rankings system folks. This is a strong team and, regardless of how they got their invite, they belong in this field. They have won two tour titles this season and reached another final. And remember this is also their rookie campaign together. Skipper Laura Walker has also been a super spare on #gsoc ice this season so that should help. Plus she did compete at this event last year with her former team, reaching the QF. You want a #BracketBuster team to watch out for? The seed may be a bit high for #BracketBuster territory but March Madness has shown a few #9 seeds making deep runs in the past. Team Walker could do the same in Yorkton.
(10) Team Muirhead - Do not let the double digit seed fool you into underestimating Team Muirhead. They are on a roll right now. They won the title in Perth. They helped win another Continental Cup. They took home a silver medal at the European Championships. They reached the QF at last slam, The National. Makes it pretty easy to forget about that Masters performance earlier in the season where they failed to pick up a win. Muirhead reached the SF here last year. Do not be surprised to see a similar result this year.
(11) Team Stern - Speaking about positive momentum, how about this young Swiss team? Consistency is the only red flag on picking this team to go far. They finally broke through at The Masters, reaching the QF. But they followed it up with going winless at the Tour Challenge. To which they then reached the QF at The National. If the trend continues, do we see this team go 0-3 at the Canadian Open? Well lets not get too excited. Remember this team did just win a tour title in Bern, SUI last weekend so they have momentum and confidence on their side, two things they have sometimes been missing at slam events. They know they can win. They know they can beat these teams. They just have to go out and execute.
(12) Team Kovaleva - A team the blog has been saying is #gsoc ready on a regular basis for the past few years finally returns to slam ice in Yorkton. This will be the first slam appearance for the Russians since last year's QF result at the season-ending Champions Cup. And, low and behold, look what seed they have. The always dangerous #12 seed. This year has not been as strong for this team compared to last year but they are still putting together solid results, led again by the replicated 4th place finish at the European Championship. I would be a little weary of playing this team, especially early on. If they get some wins under their belt early, they could be tough to stop.
(13) Team M. Kim - Our Tour Challenge Tier II winners make a return to the #gsoc ice. The young Korean junior champs made their slam debut last year at the Champions Cup. While they failed to qualify at the event, they certainly seemed to use the experience to their advantage at the Tour Challenge in November. Lets remember just how dangerous this team is. They won bronze at the world championships last year, in their debut appearance. They won silver at the World Universiade last year as well. Plus they won the #PACC title back in 2018...when they were 18 years old. This team is only 20 years old now. You want a #BracketBuster to choose? Here they are! Similar to their Tour Challenge Tier II men's partners, they also followed up their title with another tour title at the Boundary Ford Classic. So they are on a bit of a roll coming into 2020. Imagine a deep playoff run for them here too? Do not be surprised when it happens.
(14) Team Yoshimura - A #TeamUpset flag bearer earlier in the season, can they become a #BracketBuster this week? Remember back at The Masters when Japan's Team Yoshimura truly shocked the curling world reaching the championship final? Lets be real, nobody saw that coming. It was a great #TeamUpset story. But then what happened? The team has struggled. They picked up one win at the Tour Challenge and went 0-for at The National. Sure they did reach the QF in Karuizawa as a tune-up to this event but which team will show up in Yorkton? The team would shocked up all earlier in the season or the team that has struggled ever since?
(15) Team Rocque - Bit of a surprise here for Team Rocque to still have the qualification points to make the field. But credit to them for putting in the season and qualifying for all 3 slams thus far. The slam results have been inconsistent though. One win at The Masters. A QF result at the Tour Challenge. And no wins at The National. What should we expect here? Trends would say a QF or better result? The last time Rocque competed at the Canadian Open was in 2018 where she reached the QF. All signs pointing to a possible playoff run for the #15 seed?
(16) Team Roth - Team Rocque qualifying for the field was a bit of a surprise but USA's Team Roth also qualifying may be the big shocker. On the current Power Rankings, Roth currently sits #24, besting out non-invited teams like Japan's Team Matsumura or Team Koana or Sweden's Team Wrana or last year's playoff contenders Team Silvernagle and Team Scheidegger. But hey, the rankings don't lie right? And it should be worth noting Team Silvernagle did turn down the invite because they are focusing on the upcoming Sask Scotties and trying to #DefendTheIce. Playing a slam on home ice is nice but playing a Scotties at home, well what would compare to that experience?! Ok rankings debate aside the American's are here and looking to make some noise as a #16 seed. When we last saw this team on slam ice they were playing in the SF at the Tour Challenge. And Team Roth did reach the SF at this event last year. They also played in Karuizawa as a tune-up event, reaching the SF. Perhaps we should not underestimate this team. Tabitha Peterson will again skip the team as skipper Nina Roth is still away on maternity leave. As soon as you underestimate this team, they go on a deep run. I think this is the perfect seed for them....and I don't think they would be against it either. They seem to thrive more when people overlook them. Be weary of a dangerous #16!!
#TwineTime Bracket:
A Event
(2) Fleury def. (13) Kim
(10) Muirhead def. (11) Stern
(5) Fujisawa def. (14) Yoshimura
(3) Einarson def. (15) Rocque
(1) Hasselborg def. (9) Walker
(6) Homan def. (8) Carey
(4) Tirinzoni def. (16) Roth
(7) Jones def. (12) Kovaleva
(10) Muirhead def. (2) Fleury
(5) Fujisawa def. (3) Einarson
(1) Hasselborg def. (6)Homan
(7) Jones def. (4) Tirinzoni
(5) Fujisawa def. (10) Muirhead
(1) Hasselborg def. (7) Jones
B Event
(13) Kim def. (11) Stern
(14) Yoshimura def. (15) Rocque
(9) Walker def. (8) Carey
(12) Kovaleva def. (16) Roth
(13) Kim def. (14) Yoshimura
(9) Walker def. (12) Kovaleva
(2) Fleury def. (3) Einarson
(4) Tirinzoni def. (6) Homan
(7) Jones def. (13) Kim
(10) Muirhead def. (9) Walker
(4) Tirinzoni def. (2) Fleury
C Event
(11) Stern def. (15) Rocque
(16) Roth def. (8) Carey
(6) Homan def. (11) Stern
(3) Einarson def. (16) Roth
(12) Kovaleva def. (14) Yoshimura
(9) Walker def. (6) Homan
(13) Kim def. (3) Einarson
(2) Fleury def. (12) Kovaleva
Qualifiers: Team Fujisawa, Team Hasselborg, Team J. Jones, Team Muirhead, Team Tirinzoni, Team Walker, Team M. Kim, Team Fleury
#Elite8 Bracket:
QF
(5) Fujisawa def. (2) Fleury
(10) Muirhead def. (4) Tirinzoni
(1) Hasselborg def. (13) M. Kim
(7) J. Jones def. (9) Walker
SF
(5) Fujisawa def. (10) Muirhead
(1) Hasselborg def. (7) J. Jones
Canadian Open Women's Championship: (1) Team Hasselborg def. (5) Team Fujisawa
There you have it rock heads. A full preview and the reveal of the #TwineTime bracket for the men's and women's draw.
What say you? What does YOUR bracket look like? Share your comments or even release your bracket for the world to see in the comment section below or via social media.
#StayTuned
Do not forget there are a few other big curling events to keep your eyes on. The World Qualification Event is taking place in Finland with 8 men's and 8 women's nations fighting to claim the final two spots at the upcoming World Curling Championships. The blog released a full preview, with predictions, earlier in the week HERE.
Plus the Canadian Junior Curling Championships hit the ice this weekend. The blog will bring you a special preview of this event later in the week....and welcome the newest member to the #TwineTimeFam. Yup get ready for the next edition of the TwineTime Podcast!!
As always, stay warm. Good luck and good curling!
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