#BetweenTheSheets: 2023 Scotties Parting Rocks
#HERstory was made in Kamloops
How does the saying go?
"The more things change, the more they stay the same?"
It kind of sums up the 2023 Scotties, no?
During the off-season teams were swapping out players, setting new lineups and preparing for a shot at Scotties glory.
When the rocks stopped spinning, it was the familiar faces of Team Canada standing atop the podium yet again.
The opposition may change. The competition format may change.
But the end result remains the same.
Welcome to the 2023 Scotties Tournament of Hearts Parting Rocks blog post.
For those unfamiliar with this blog topic, the "Parting Rocks" post summarizes highlights (or lowlights) of the competition.
Consider a quick and dirty summary, hopefully leaving some food for thought.
Bring on the 16 (16 rocks in play per end, get it?!) #STOH2023 Parting Rocks!
#PartingRocks
π₯ Score 5 to Win 4!
Team Canada and Manitoba battled back-and-forth in the championship final on Sunday evening. At times it was a messy final, with small mistakes and neither team able to capitalize early.
And then the big #StealPants of 2 before the break. Momentum shifted. Confidence was gained by Canada and deflated from Manitoba.
Team Canada's Team Einarson hit their stride in the second half and dominated their way to the championship by scoring 5 in 9 to #MakeTheFinal.
It was a prototype blueprint for Einarson and one we have seen many times before.
She may not dominate an entire game. She may have some misses early. And the games may be closer than sometimes they need to be.
But, when the dust settles, champions win. Team Einarson is a team of champions. And they find a way to win by grinding out their games and slowly picking apart their opposition.
π₯ #4peat for #HERstory
Team Einarson's win tied them with Team Colleen Jones for the most consecutive Scotties titles with 4.
As the beginning of this post stated, change ran rampant in the Canadian curling world at the end of last season. But while everyone around them was running around stressing about a new team, the Canadian champs hung out in the corner, calm and relaxed and ready to strike once again.
This is an amazing accomplishment. And we can talk about different eras for comparison and blah, blah, blah but it doesn't matter. To win 4 titles in a row, at any sport in any era, is difficult.
We don't need to reduce one's accomplishments to promote the other.
Team Jones was amazing during their #HERstoric run.
Team Einarson is amazing as well during theirs.
Can they make it #5Alive next year in Calgary?
Also, was there a better, more touching celebratory moment than Einarson handing her MVP award to Briane Harris? Harris, curling while pregnant and still being the leading force on the team, was a true All Star all week.
π₯ Big, Bad Birchard
While the #4peat record-tying achievement is amazing, what about the record for Team Einarson second Shannon Birchard?
Birchard has played in 5 Scotties. She has reached 5 Scotties finals. She has won 5 Scotties titles.
She is undefeated at the Scotties!
Ok, yes she has been on the losing end of RR games (not many!) but at the end of the events, she is always standing on top of the podium.
And to make the Scotties finals in every appearance and win them all? Yowie Wowie!!
A little bitter sweet perhaps to have her 5th Scotties title come at the defeat of the skip who she won her first with in 2018, Jennifer Jones, while subbing for Kaitlyn Lawes.
This is an accomplishment we may never see replicated, or bettered, in our lifetime.
How many players can say they have never lost a Canadian championship event they have entered?
Shannon Birchard can!
And she will attempt to score herself a #6pack next year.
π₯ #BuffaloHunt
Props to Team Jennifer Jones for their outstanding week of curling.
Jennifer Jones is the Yoda on ice. She has the experience and leadership to guide a young team and did so this past week.
But she was also leading a talented "Core Four" of championship pedigree of a team formerly known as Team Zacharias.
When they say the "young kids can play", we saw that on full display with this team.
Was there maybe some nerves playing in your first Scotties final and playing against the 3-time champs with a 6-time champ leading you? Sure. How can there not be?!
But the team handled themselves with poise and professionalism. We will be seeing more of them on Scotties championship ice.
π₯ Is 5 the New 4?
With Manitoba implementing a 5-team rotation, could this be the future of the sport? Will more teams do this, seeing how successful Team Jones has been this season?
We saw at last year's Brier Team Gushue win with 3. We have seen it done on tour this season with Team Edin as well.
Is the sport ready to eliminate the "four" identifier for the team discipline and just call it a "team"?
Imagine seeing a Canadian championship with teams entering the competition with 3 players, 4 players and 5 players.
All different strategies. All different success rates.
Is the future now?
π₯ #FearTheMoose...Again!
Northern Ontario's Krista McCarville continues to prove she is one of the elite curlers in Canada.
Another Scotties appearance. Another deep playoff run. Another podium finish, this time winning bronze.
Each year at the Scotties we hear the same narrative about Team McCarville. When will this die?
On twitter I was asked what I thought made them so successful despite playing limited schedules year after year. My response, "they are having fun!"
They set their schedule to what makes them happy. Each member of the team has buy-in to the plan.
And they respect one another while having fun.
Sometimes the greatest strength to a team is the mental advantage.
Team McCarville does not put a ton of pressure on themselves. They have fun competing. And they enjoy what they are doing.
Isn't that enough of a recipe for success?
If you enter 10 events on the season, qualify in 9 and win 2 but fail to reach the playoffs at the Scotties (if you qualify to begin with), was it a successful season?
What if you enter 2 events, qualify in 1 and reach a SF but also land on the podium at the Scotties?
Which would you rather have on your resume, year after year after year?
The blog preview post stated their Key To Success would be wearing the #StealPants. Check ✅
At the conclusion of the RR, they were the #2 in the field for stolen ends with 13 (Manitoba led with 15!).
Krista McCarville will pick your pocket, time and time again.
π₯ Playoff Woes
Poor Team Canada! Ok, hard to have sympathy for a team who has just won 4 straight championships but hear me out.
For the second straight year Team Einarson goes undefeated in the RR only to lose in the ever-confusing Page Playoff qualifier game.
From 8-0 to life support in a matter of one game.
Sure, it was not an elimination game and winning your pool at least guarantees you are in the Page Playoff bracket, but is this really the best playoff format?
Fans are confused by it still. The incentive for finishing first is really not all that exciting.
And these Playoff Round I and Playoff Round II draws just make the format more head scratching.
Why don't we just go back to the Championship Pool format from a few years ago at this point?
At least then we get 4 teams from each pool advancing. Top 3 out of a pool of 9 just seems unfair.
And look at the results from this year. 4 teams tied for 2 playoff spots. Two 5-3 teams went home early.
At least under the now-defunct Championship Pool format, we would have only lost one 5-3 team.
Maybe we just eliminate the Page Playoff format all together?
Have the Top 4 in each pool advance to the Championship Pool.
Those RR games are "seeding" games to determine playoff standings.
And then we go right into an Elite 8 knock-out format. People seem to like the elimination bracket format for tour events and #gsoc events.
When we get into any type of "playoff" discussion, the end result should be the same: #WinAndIn.
Playoff games are elimination games.
And Jennifer Jones did not hold back her opinion on the format in the post-finale interview with reporter Marty Hastings. Check out her comments HERE.
π₯ The Black Attack
Christina Black is a thief! If she went up against her peers in a court of curling law, she would be found guilty and sentenced to "outside the house" jail time.
What a run from #TeamBluenose though.
They wore the #StealPants in 3 straight games to reach the Final Four.
And they eliminated some strong competition, namely playoff favs #WC1 Team Lawes and #CurlOn Team Fleury/Homan.
They dealt a deadly pre-elimination blow to Quebec in the final RR draw, stealing the W in 10.
And then went back-to-back extra end steals to eliminate Lawes and Fleury/Homan on Friday.
The weighted emotion of the event may have caught up to them in the playoffs but a 4th place finish is still a strong result, especially when your back was against the wall time after time after time.
The blog preview stated this team is still considered a "fly under the radar" team. Will this year's Scotties result change that stance in the future?
I doubt it but I don't think they mind it either.
Their blog #KeyToSuccess was to win the ends. Check ✅
Last year their Ends Won: Ends Lost ratio was 35:36. This year the ratio was on the positive side at 36:29.
π₯ Qualification Problem or Systemic Problem?
There are still many calling for a complete overhaul of the system.
Scotties/Brier winners should not be our representatives at the world championships.
The Canada Cup could serve as the world championship qualification event.
But why?
For one, aren't the Canada Cup and Scotties/Brier fields basically the same anyway? Are we really going to accomplish anything different there?
Second, what is the REAL issue? We are upset because we are not winning world gold every season?
How are those results a direct correlation to our national championship format?
Team Einarson is not the best in Canada? You all have been saying they are for the past four years when they win. But if they do not come home with a world championship, we blame the Scotties format?
Team Gushue. Same story.
The world has caught up. And the Scotties/Brier format is not the issue.
How can you get excited and cheer for Team McCarville or Team Black or Team Kelly or Team Galusha during the Scotties but then say those teams shouldn't have a chance to represent Canada at a world championship?
You like them. You want them to do well. You want them to win. But you are saying they aren't "good enough" to be Team Canada?
Way to serve up a fancy "shit pie" with whipped cream on top to cover the shit.
The wildcard addition should have silenced the doubters. It hasn't.
The results from Northern Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and NWT the past two Scotties should silence the doubters as those reps have proved they belong. It hasn't.
Those still calling for a "change" might want to first take some Active Listening classes.
The qualification format is not the issue.
Find a new red herring to complain about! Because this one has flown the coup.
π₯ Wildcard Whelping
Curling Canada added the wildcard entry to bolster the competition at the Scotties/Brier and give a last chance opportunity to a highly-ranked team who failed to win their provincial/territorial championship.
It was controversial when it was done. It still is today.
The wildcard idea grew to 3 teams in the field and eliminated the wildcard play-in game.
Still controversial.
Is the wildcard entry actually needed? If so, do we really need 3?
With all due respect to teams who have worn the "joker" card at the Scotties, have the wildcard teams really played a positive impact in the overall competition?
This year all 3 teams failed to reach the playoffs.
Last year 1 team reached the Final Four and ended up with a 4th place finish.
In 2021, 2 teams reached the Championship Round but neither reached the playoffs.
If the addition of the wildcard teams was to ensure the "best of the best" are competing at the Scotties, are we saying the teams who qualified by winning their provincial/territorial championships are not the best?
And the wildcard results speak for themselves. 1 playoff appearance among 9 teams in the past 3 years.
All those teams were great. All of them were highly ranked and had great seasons. But they lost their provincial/territorial championships and, even with the second chance, have not factored, for the most part, into the championship discussion.
Are the wildcard teams still really needed?
π₯ #CurlON Team Fleury/Homan?
When Ontario was eliminated from the Scotties by Nova Scotia picking their pocket in the extra end, people were quick to jump on the "breakup" train for Fleury/Homan.
They failed to make the playoffs. The honeymoon stage is over. Time to call for divorce.
There were even rumors of Fleury jumping ship to take over the captain duties of Team Lawes, bumping Lawes back to vice and suggesting the new team play with a 5-person rotation out of Manitoba.
Curling fans can be fickle beasts when the results do not meet their expectations.
But are we really so quick to write off the Fleury/Homan marriage because of an 11th end loss at the Scotties to a strong and surging Nova Scotia team?
Look at the resume for the season. This team, regardless of Scotties result, has had one of the best seasons on tour. They have #gsoc finals and championships under their sliders.
To quickly call the marriage a failure is a bit premature.
Now this is not to say the team won't make changes. Who knows? Maybe they will, maybe they won't.
We know there will be team changes coming this offseason as next year officially starts the next Olympic cycle.
But why are we all assuming THIS is the team who will be making changes?
π₯ #NextGen
This year's field may be looked back upon as being the unofficial passing of the guard from the experienced athletes to the #NextGen future.
Team Skrlik and Team Walter are great examples of how bright the future could be for Canadian women's curling.
Skrlik showed poise and resiliency in their debut, losing their opening games and then rattling off wins to get into playoff contention. The final RR game vs. BC was always feeling like a de facto elimination game...and it was.
Skrlik's Alberta foursome were on the wrong end of the hog line but it does not diminish what they accomplished this week and how bright their future star is shining.
Team Walter (formerly Team Ackland) was burning up the ice this season and earned their spot in the field as #WC3. Skip Meghan Walter turned 21 during the competition. 21!
And while they may have missed the playoffs, they finished with a respectable 3-5 record in a tough experienced pool. They should be considered a dangerous team in Manitoba for the foreseeable future.
Of course we mention the members of Manitoba's Team Jones in this discussion. The core four won world junior gold in 2020. This was their second Scotties appearance and they reached the final.
Sure "The Jones Effect" helps but each member of the team still had to step up and do their job to get them to that final.
The #NextGen of Canadian female curlers has arrived and planted their flag at centre ice.
π₯ #TeamPacific
Team Grandy showed why they are one of the fastest rising teams in the world this season.
Playing in front of a home ice crowd as Team B.C. can be daunting but the team rose to the opportunity, survived an elimination game vs. provincial rival Alberta and survived a TB game vs. Quebec to reach the Championship Round.
They ran into the Manitoba buffalo and were eliminated but a T6th place in your rookie Scotties appearance is a pretty good result.
This is another #NextGen team for your consideration as a fan fav too.
Kayla MacMillan (24yo), Lindsay Dubue (23yo) and Sarah Loken (23yo) are still finding their footing on the big competition ice and handled themselves with the poise of champions.
Skipper Clancy Grandy was a great leader and showcased her skipping prowess as well.
This team could be the face of B.C. curling throughout the next Olympic cycle and could have a great chance at being at the 2025 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials.
Mark it down here folks. Watch out for Team Grandy!
π₯ #Labelleprovince
Speaking of a team to watch out for, Quebec's Team St-Georges looked like the #TeamUpset contenders many were hoping they would be.
This is a team who personifies having fun while competing. And when they have fun, we as the audience have fun. And we all have fun, the team becomes a fan fav.
Social media lit up with Quebec support as they were making their run towards the Championship Round.
When they defeated #WC1 Team Lawes Tuesday night, fans around the nation took notice and got excited.
This was the team we remember from 2021.
The blog identified a Key to Success being to "Find Your Offense". Well consider it found.
Last year they put up only 50 points, one of the lowest offensive performances in the field.
This year, they scored 66 points, tied for 3rd in the field. And they went 5-3 before falling in a TB.
Each Scotties appearance is a learning opportunity and this team seems to revel in this fact. They learn more about themselves. They learn more about the competition. And they get better from it.
This is another dangerous team who could be a playoff contender over the next few years.
Also, can we have Laurie play with a mic on all season?
π₯ #PolarPower
And while we talk about #NextGen starting to become the leaders in the sport, lets also highlight the experience factor from The Great North.
Kerry Galusha reached the 150 games played milestone and curled 87%, tied for 5th at the lead position.
Galusha also won the Marj Mitchell Sportsmanship Award for the second time (2017).
Jo-Ann Rizzo showed age is just a number with her light's out throwing all week, curling 78% in the RR, tied for 5th in the field of last rock throwers.
And while the team may be disappointed in not replicating the Championship Round appearance from a year ago, they are one of the best 4-4 record teams we have seen at a Scotties.
Under a different format perhaps, they would have been a Championship Round / playoff contender.
The blog missed the mark on the Keys to Success in the preview, noting perhaps more blank ends could lead to more wins.
The #PolarPower is used on all ends as NWT only blanked 1 end with hammer all competition, tied with New Brunswick for second fewest blank ends (NL and Yukon had 0 blank ends btw).
As fans (and TSN) were saying throughout the week, give us ONE MORE YEAR Rizzo!!
π₯ VΣlkommen till Sverige
Team Canada will now head to Sweden for #WWCC2023. This will be an interesting test for Team Einarson.
While this is their 4th straight Canadian championship, this will be their first time competing at a world championship outside of Canada.
It will be different.
The fan support will not be the same. The arena and hotels and media and logistics will not be the same.
Maybe less distraction as well though?
The team finished T5 inside the #IceBubble in Calgary in 2021. Last year they won bronze in Prince George.
How they perform as the "away" team at a world championship is still an unknown.
With Switzerland's Team Tirinzoni seeking a #4peat of their own alongside Euro champs Team Dupont from Denmark, #PCCC2022 champs Team Fujisawa from Japan, USA's Team Peterson, #PCCC2022 runner-up Team Ha from Korea and always dangerous Germany's Team Jentsch among other top contenders, it will be a stacked field.
And we know the home nation will be rallying behind Team Hasselborg, who will have revenge on their minds after missing the playoffs on home ice at Euro 2022.
Final Thought
Before we say an official goodbye to the 2023 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, make sure you check out the Vic Rauter recap montage HERE.
A true "reminder on how much we love the game".
For all the teams and athletes who competed this past week, THANK YOU! We enjoyed every draw, every hit, every sweep and every slide.
And, as always, THANK YOU to the organizing committee, those who work tirelessly behind the scenes from Curling Canada and TSN and others and to all the volunteers who truly make events like the Scotties happen.
#StayTuned
This is "no rest for the wicked" type of week for curling fans.
While the Scotties just wrapped up, the World Junior Curling Championships are underway in Germany. Stay up to date with all the results and standings HERE.
And while the blog was unable to do a #WJCC2023 preview, I would be keeping my eyes on Germany, Switzerland, Norway and Canada for the junior men's competition with Italy and USA as #TeamUpset contenders.
For the junior women's competition, watch out for Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland and Japan with Canada and South Korea waving the #TeamUpset flag.
Also, the 2023 Brier hits the ice THIS FRIDAY in London, Ontario.
The blog will return later in the week with a #Brier2023 preview post.
For those interested in joining a kick-ass Brier Pool, email brierpool.yyc@gmail.com for more info and/or to enter. It is $25 to enter and there are daily prize winnings on top of the overall pool winnings. The deadline to enter is THURSDAY, MARCH 2!
The blog has entered this pool for a number of years now...and was even a Brier Pool champion a few years ago.
Slide out of the hack and see if you can beat #TwineTime!
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