#BetweenTheSheets: Power Rankings
Big tour events in Alberta shake up the mountain
Back when we were all able to laugh and sing and have large social gatherings without restrictions, the #TwineTime blog brought you weekly #PowerRankings.
Well COVID is not over. Monkeypox is now an added health issue. And the world will never be the same.
But here at #TwineTime we can try to instill some memories of the "good 'ole days" and bring back the weekly blog post summarizing the results of the previous weekend on tour and updating the Power Rankings.
Welcome back, circa 2019!
Here is what you may have missed last weekend.
<Ed. Note: The original final result of the ADVICS Cup women's competition noted Team Yoshimura def. Team Fujisawa. The actual result was Team Fujisawa def. Team Yoshimura. Special thank you to J.D. Lind on pointing out the error and result has been corrected below>
#TheRunback
Men
🥌 Curling Stadium Alberta Curling Series Major - Team Schwaller (SUI) def. Team Carruthers (MB). After losing their A-SF game, Schwaller rattled off 6 straight wins to qualify via the B-side and win the championship. Carruthers qualified via the #CSideGrind.
🥌 ADVICS Cup - Team Sato (JPN) def. Team Abe (JPN). Both teams were undefeated heading into the championship final, with Sato controlling the match from the onset to win 6-3.
Women
🥌 Saville Shoot-Out - Team Jones (MB) def. Team Homan (ONT). Jones went undefeated over the weekend, posting a 5-0 RR record before winning 3 straight playoff games to claim the title. Homan's only loss of the weekend came in the final.
🥌 Gord Carroll Curling Classic - Team Ladouceur (ONT) def. Team Mann (ONT). Ladouceur claimed the title with a perfect 5-0 record, including handing Mann their only loss of the tournament in the final.
🥌 ADVICS Cup - Team Fujisawa (JPN) def. Team Yoshimura (JPN). Both teams entered the final with unblemished records. Fujisawa wore the #StealPants in the opening two ends to jump up to the early 3-0 lead before winning the championship 7-2.
The blog will also continue to hold itself accountable in its predictions. Sometimes the predictions will look good and sometimes...well, think ostrich in the sand.
How did the blog do in the predictions from last week?
Accurately predicted Team Schwaller reaching the final in Leduc, including correctly tabbing 5 of 8 qualifiers. But missed the boat on the champion prediction as Team McEwen failed to qualify.
Correct on Team Homan reaching the final in Edmonton but the blog predicted a championship win rather than a runner-up finish. And, similar to the men in Leduc, 5 of 8 qualifiers.
Worth noting though, the highlighted #TeamUpset pick, Team Gray-Withers, did surprise a few people are reached the QF.
At the Gord Carroll, missed both finalists but did predict playoff appearances for both. The blog did predict all 6 qualifiers; however, the blog also made a mistake in assuming 8 teams qualified so, technically based on how the teams are listed in the prediction, only 5 of 6 would be correct. #MyBad
With two major tour events taking place in Alberta this weekend and another event under the Japanese Curling Tour, time to update the Power Rankings.
The number in parenthesis refers to last weeks rankings.
#PowerRankings
Women
1. Team Tirinzoni (1) - The top team doesn't fall from the mountain because they did not compete. Besides, they are 11-2 this season and on an 8-game winning streak and have looked in fine championship form already.
2. Team Hasselborg (2) - See above. Inactivity over the weekend does not warrant a fall from grace when you have played one tournament and claimed the title. Big week ahead as they contend in the European Qualifier to represent Sweden on home ice in November.
3. Team Gim (4) - Another event, another qualification, another SF finish. This team continues to shine early on and is making their climb up the mountain. Love the full-time addition of Min-ji Kim to the team, making them even more dangerous.
4. Team Yoshimura (NR) - Chalk up another championship performance this past weekend. This team has played 4 events this season and reached the championship final EVERY time. They also have 2 tournament titles under the slider now (Hokkaido, Wakkanai) and, at one point, were on a 13-match winning streak. They are 17-3 on the season. Yowie Wowie!
5. Team Grandy (3) - Not a knock against them for not playing, more just Gim and Yoshimura making the right moves at the right time to clip them on the mountain. They are set to hit the ice this upcoming weekend in Leduc.
6. Team Jones (HM) - Jones is looking like the classic Jones we are used to seeing and Zacharias and company are right with her to make the new team look formidable. 3 events in and they have the full gambit: SF, QF, Championship. Next stop Fredericton.
7. Team Homan (10) - Solid season debut for the new team, going undefeated en route to a championship final. Not a bad loss to Team Jones in the final either, plus they did have two tournaments under their sliders already by comparison. We will see them back on the ice in Fredericton at the PointsBet Canada Invitational at the end of September.
8. Team Lawes (5) - No activity this weekend but the finals appearance in Oslo still keeps them on the mountain. We will see them back on the ice this weekend at the Mother Club in Winnipeg.
9. Team Scheidegger (NR) - Another solid season debut for a new look team as Scheidegger reached the SF in Edmonton. This team was on the pre-season Power Rankings (#7) so they are living up to the pre-season hype thus far. They will be in Leduc this weekend.
10. Team Ladouceur (NR) - This #10 spot may become a bit of a rotating spot on the rankings mountain as teams who compete and win at tour events should always be considered for a spot on the mountain. Ladourceur went undefeated in claiming the Gord Carroll title over the weekend and that results deserves a spot here. Not to mention they are 11-4 on the season with a SF appearance in Leduc in August and a SF finish at the U25 #NextGen Classic a few weekends ago in Edmonton. A strong #TeamUpset brewing on the mountain?
Hon. Mention: Team Fujisawa, Team Einarson, Team E. Kim, Team Gray-Withers, Team Roervik
Men
1. Team Schwaller (2) - Make it Back-2-Back Curling Stadium wins for the new Swiss team. 13-2 in those events to claim the titles and now sit with a season record of 17-4. They are making their case as the early season team to beat. Already a world champion pre-favourite? Euro favourite? They will take a much deserved break for a few weeks.
2. Team Retornaz (1) - Retornaz is also on a 12-match winning streak after back-2-back tour titles. The only difference as to why they are bumped down to #2 now? Schwaller defeated Retornaz in the QF in Baden to start the season. Looking forward to seeing them in Stroud in October, if not at the #GSOC BOOST National first?!
3. Team Walstad (2) - Similar to above, only knocked down because Schwaller is on a tear right now and Walstad took the weekend off. They usually play a lighter schedule than some of their competition but if you go out and win when you do play, you hold your spot here. Consistency of results will trump quantity of starts.
4. Team Edin (3) - Similar to above, the #SwedishVikings did not play this past weekend but we should see them on the ice again at the start of October at the slam. They may drop a bit down the rankings due to inactivity but nothing to be concerned about.
5. Team Whyte (4) - The blog's pre-season dark horse team remains a team to watch out for. Again, light early season schedule but the events and games will start to pick up. Watch out for them once they hit the slam ice again. And the Whyte vs. Mouat rivalry should be a fun one this season.
6. Team Yanagisawa (8) - Second event of the season and another playoff appearance, this time reaching the QF in Leduc. They qualified for the playoffs via the A-side as well, knocking off fellow qualifiers Team Wiebe and Team Horgan. The Japanese champions have looked very strong.
7. Team Sluchinski (NR) - The blog warned in last week's event preview, this was the #TeamUpset team to watch. What did they do? They qualified via the B-side and reached the QF. Along the way they also knocked off both finalists, Team Schwaller and Team Carruthers, alongside fellow qualifiers Team Hoesli. A solid follow-up to a tour title the previous weekend. Dark horse Alberta threat?
8. Team Gushue (6) - We have yet to see the Canadian champs hit the ice and we will not do so until Fredericton. They did release their season schedule this week and it is basically all the slams and the Brier after Fredericton. Creates an interesting question for the Power Rankings. Can they hold their spot on the mountain with inactivity? Of course if they hit slam ice and win, the question could be all for not.
9. Team Gosgens (7) - #TeamOranje holds a spot in the Top 10....for now. It may be tough to keep from slipping though when strong teams are starting their schedules and putting together big wins as well. But we cannot discredit the strong start of the season for the Dutch Boys either, reaching a championship final and a SF. But the rocks are starting to fall out from under their sliders on the mountain.
10. Team Carruthers (NR) - Chalk up the Carruthers - Gunnlaugson marriage as a successful one thus far. Reaching the championship final in your first event is always going to be a positive. But they did take the long road to get there and there were up's and down's along the way. This is still the feeling out stage of the new merger though. Next up Fredericton at the end of the month.
Hon. Mention: Team Epping, Team Hoesli, Team Wiebe, Team Sato
Always remember, the blog rewards results with a sprinkle of theme: consistency, consistency, consistency!
Inactivity will not necessarily be "punishable" on the mountain but if the competition is playing 3 or 4 or 5 events early in the season and you are still in practice mode, you cannot expect a spot to be held for you on name recognition alone.
This may be the year we see a new Power Rankings theme: #ExpectTheUnexpected!
What say you curling fans? Share your thoughts on the Top 10 or even a Top 5 on social media or in the comments below.
Do you think a team should be ranked higher? Lower? Is there an unranked team the blog should be keeping an eye out for?
These are the Power Rankings of the people after all. Have your say!
#StayTuned
Could this weekend's results shake up the Power Rankings mountain?
The blog will return to preview the weekend slate of events later in the week.
Also, it was announced by PointsBet Canada a Bracket Challenge fantasy event will take place for the PointsBet Invitational at the end of the month. Full details and how to register to play can be found HERE.
Note, a PERFECT BRACKET can net you a prize of $1,000,000.00!!!! 👀👀👀👀
Until then, enjoy your Pumpkin Spice Latte's and the incoming of fall colours.
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