#BetweenTheSheets: Get Well Soon Ben Smith
Plus the return of the world champs
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| Photo Credit: Team Hood Facebook Account |
New Zealand's Team Hood has been on quite the ride over the past year.
From the epic world championship qualification at the 2022 Pan Continental Curling Championships to fundraising to Ottawa to competing on world championship ice to moving to Calgary as their "new" home for the season.
And the boys have become instant curling fan favourites along the way.
The process has been well documented too. From skipper Anton Hood's #BetweenTheSheets podcast interview to this week's World Curling Tour article, Team Hood has arrived.
To say it has been a whirlwind of emotion may be an understatement.
Check out the #TwineTime YouTube page for the post-game interview with Hood at the 2022 Pan Continental Curling Championships right after finding out his team qualified New Zealand a spot in the world championship field.
And as the team just started feeling at home in their new environment in Calgary, the curling gods threw them a bad stone.
Vice Ben Smith found himself detoured into a hospital this week with an appendicitis. As announced by Smith and on the team socials, Smith headed into surgery this week and will be out of action for 6 weeks.
Luckily, as announced on team socials only a few hours later, Smith's surgery went well and he is in full recovery mode...with his teammates by his side. How can you not smile and love the team picture above? 😃
Luckily the health concern was minimal and the surgery was a huge success. And curling fans have been outpouring positive vibes and get well wishes for Smith on social media. The curling community really comes together to support one another.
It is also a reminder curling athletes are people first. Health and well-being of each athlete as a person is priority #1. And none of us are invincible, even athletes.
I can also imagine the stress placed on Smith. You just move to a new country, starting to prepare for a historic curling season and opportunity and now you are not feeling great all of a sudden and find yourself in a hospital.
In a land not your home. And without your family around you. Imagine the situation for yourself. How would you be feeling?
Luckily, of course, Smith wasn't "alone" as he had his friends and teammates right by his side the entire time, providing positivity and comfort.
But it would still be a little scary. For anyone.
Having been in a hospital once in my life, it happened to be in Phoenix, AZ while on vacation. Sure I was with good friends who were reassuring and helpful, but it is still a little scary and unnerving to be in a hospital in a foreign country. Especially if you had never been in one as a patient before.
But we are resilient people. And we fight through our battles when life throws us a curveball.
Anton Hood and Brett Sargon will play on this weekend in Beaumont, thinking of their recovering teammate and looking to do him proud with a strong Kiwi performance.
#TwineTime and the entire curling community continue to wish Smith all the best in his recovery. If you want to send him positive messages, head to his IG account or the team IG and/or FB account and send well wishes.
When you are resting and recovering, what better motivation to keep your mind positive then seeing positive well wishes from others?
On the plus side, Smith can watch his All Blacks compete at the Rugby World Cup in France. Perhaps they can score a victory this weekend to help ease his recovery?!
#TourLifePredictions
ICYMI, the updated #PowerRankings were released earlier this week. The mountain welcomed to news and some big climbers last week. Check out the new Top 10 HERE.
Bring on the previews and predictions.
WOMEN
KW Fall Classic
Kitchener-Waterloo, ONT
2022 Champion: Team Kitazawa
Format: 18 team RR with 2 pools of 5 and 2 pools of 4. Top 8 qualify.
#Fav: Team Ha
Ride the hot hand as the fav.
Korea's Team Ha is coming off a tour win last weekend in Oakville and will have a ton of momentum in their favour when they arrive in Kitchener-Waterloo.
Their victory last weekend moved them up the rankings, now sitting #14 when previously at #18.
They are on the cusp on earning that coveted #GSOC ticket in the future.
This is the Ontario section of their season, from Oakville last weekend to Kitchener-Waterloo this weekend and in Cornwall next weekend. Can they complete the trifecta?
The path to the playoffs will see them go through 4 Ontario teams but it is manageable, especially given how they played last weekend.
Don't tell this team they are no longer the Korea champions. They are playing like they still are.
#TeamUpset: Team Kiemele
Mackenzie Kiemele and her Toronto #NextGen team should be one to watch this weekend.
When we last saw Kiemele on the ice, they were making a playoff run at the U25 #NextGen Classic in Edmonton. A SF result can yield a ton of momentum heading into this women's tour event.
The draw will be a good litmus test for them as they find themselves in Pool A with #Fav Ha and past Ontario champ Hollie Duncan.
We often assume #NextGen teams are entered in these tour events for experience...and yes, that is the case.
But we should stop assuming #NextGen teams cannot compete for women's tour titles as well. We have seen it happen in the past, we will see it happen in the future.
Can Team Kiemele turn some heads this weekend and continue their strong start to the season?
The team currently sits just outside the Top 100 at #101. A good result, with a few wins, could move them into the Top 100 next week. Check off those milestone moments and build towards the next.
#W2W4
All eyes will be on the new look Team McCarville. Andrea Kelly has left her home province of New Brunswick to join forces with former Scotties rival Krista McCarville and form a new look #SuperTeam.
But will it be successful? This is their season opening event. And the results this weekend will be key to long-term possible success.
We have seen this move from Kelly in the past. Remember when she went cross-country to join Val Sweeting? That was a cup of coffee moment.
Kelly and McCarville are fan favourites and rockheads are hoping this new formation will yield positive results. You can believe people are watching their games closely this weekend.
Let us also give a shout out to #PolarPower skip Kerry Galusha. Galusha was inducted into the Governor's General Curling Club this week. This is a prestigious honour as there are only 150 members of this club. Galusha is also the first woman from NWT to receive this special achievement.
Those who have met Galusha know she is not only a great ambassador for the sport but also a great human being. Her smile and positive outlook is contagious. And we all know she is an ultimate Fan Fav.
Team Galusha reached the SF in their season opener but missed the playoffs last weekend in Edmonton. They are a previous champion here, winning the title in 2021. Can they reclaim their title?
And, from a draw perspective, pay attention to the Pool C vs. Pool D battle. With an uneven pool distribution due to 18 teams registered, Pool A and Pool B teams will play their fellow pool members.
Pool C teams will play Pool D teams for the RR. Could one pool reign supreme and eliminate the other?
#PopcornMatch
Team McCarville vs. Team E. Kim - Draw 1: What a season opener for the McCarville/Kelly pairing.
Team Ha vs. Team Kiemele - Draw 5: The #Fav vs. #TeamUpset.
Team Ladouceur vs. Team E. Kim - Draw 7: A great test for Ladouceur and possibly a "must win" to reach the playoffs?
Team Ha vs. Team Duncan - Draw 11: Could decide the Pool A winner and a great test for two of the championship favourites.
Qualifiers: Team Ha, Team Morrison, Team McCarville, Team E. Kim, Team Duncan, Team Galusha, Team Ladourceur, Team Armstrong
Championship: Team E. Kim def. Team Morrison
Womens Masters Basel
Basel, SUI
2022 Champion: Team Keiser
Format: 20 team RR with 4 pools of 5. Top 8 qualify.
#Fav: Team Hasselborg
One event in. One tournament win. Why not assume the momentum continues in Basel?
Hasselborg is playing with heat under their sliders this season. Swedish rivals Team Wrana continue to be ahead of them in the world rankings and if Hasselborg wants to continue to be the #SwedishVikings at major events, like Euro's and world championships, they need to step up their game to better, and beat, Wrana.
And that motivation, and challenge, could be exactly what Hasselborg needs to reestablish themselves as a fierce team on tour.
The draw in Basel should see them reach the playoffs, with their main RR challenge coming from Italy's Team Constantini.
Once in the playoff bracket though, could we get another chapter of the Hasselborg vs. Wrana rivalry?
#TeamUpset: Switzerland
We know the "big name" team out of Switzerland. And more on their return in a moment.
But do not underestimate the "other" Swiss teams in this field.
Team Jaeggi is no longer a #TeamUpset contender, they proved their might last season and are a regular playoff threat.
Keep your eyes on teams like Team Schwaller, Team Heurlimann, Team Heinimann, Team Blackham and Team Einspieler.
Schwaller and Heurlimann have shown their capable ways of pushing for playoffs in the past and could fly the #TeamUpset flag for the home nation into the weekend.
Lets remember, Heurlimann reached the SF a few weeks ago in Oslo and now is sitting #16 on the world rankings.
#W2W4
The Return of Team Tirinzoni!
After a long wait, curling fans are ready to see the world champs back on the ice this weekend.
And it will be a new look as Selina Witschonke has joined the team in the offseason. And we all know the end of last season storyline about how that happened.
Will the end of season lineup shake up decision prove to be the "right" decision this season?
And, after how last season ended, will Team Tirinzoni remain a fan fav? The lineup change certainly brought out polarizing responses to the team. Can the team block out those off ice distractions and comments?
The Return of Jentsch!
Dani Jentsch retired at the end of last season but will make a #SuperSpare return this weekend, playing with Team Jaeggi.
Jentsch has been a fan fav in the sport for years and it will be great to see her return to the ice for a weekend of curling action.
Worth noting, Jentsch's #BetweenTheSheets blog interview remains one of the most popular #TwineTimeFam posts in the #HERstory of the blog, with over 2,500 unique views to date.
Plus we get Jentsch against her former teammates, Team Abbes, in the RR. That will be fun!
#PopcornMatch
Team Jaeggi vs. Team Abbes - Draw 4: #SuperSpare vs. Former Teammates. And this could be an important game towards booking a spot in the playoffs.
Team Tirinzoni vs. Team Jaeggi - Draw 7: The Battle of Swizerland! These are the leaders of Swiss women's curling and the first game of the season between both.
Team Hasselborg vs. Team Constantini - Draw 7: Both should make the playoffs but the winner could enter the playoff undefeated and with momentum towards the title.
Team Wrana vs. Team Dupont - Draw 8: HUGE game for both teams. This is the final RR game, in the final RR draw, so the winner will have playoff momentum. But, should either or both slip up earlier in the RR, this could have major playoff implications.
Qualifiers: Team Tirinzoni, Team Wrana, Team Hasselborg, Team Roervik, Team Jaeggi, Team Dupont, Team Constantini, Team Huerlimann
Championship: Team Hasselborg def. Team Wrana
Mother Club Fall Curling Classic
Winnipeg, MB
2022 Champion: Team Lawes
Format: 25 team RR with 5 pools of 5. Top 12 qualify.
#Fav: Team Cameron
If there were any questions heading into the season on the new look Team Cameron, Kate Cameron moving to skip and the combination of Cameron/Meghan Walter has been silenced.
The team opened the season with a championship win at the Icebreaker and followed up with a SF run last weekend at the Saville Shootout.
In fact, the team opened their season with a 9-match winning streak. When your only 2 losses on the season are to Team Einarson and Team Homan, you cannot hang your head as a new team.
This is another opportunity for Cameron to claim their seat as a main contender this season.
#TeamUpset: Team Campbell
Meghan Walter bolted for a new team with Team Cameron, as noted above.
But what about her teammate from last year, Abby Ackland?
Last season Walter/Ackland had a breakout year, reaching the Scotties as #WC3. And then the team imploded itself.
Ackland landed with a new skip, teaming up with Saskatchewan's Jolene Campbell.
Now we will see how the new Team Campbell holds up in their season opening event.
Campbell is a familiar name in the sport of course, having played the past two seasons as vice with Chelsea Carey. But she also has 5 Scotties appearances.
Manitoba is a stacked province, as we know. If Team Campbell wants to be considered one of the main contenders for the Buffalo this season, this season opening event will go a long way towards creating that narrative.
#W2W4
Last week's blog post discussed the Canada vs. The World theme, this event will really showcase that on-going battle.
16 Canadian teams are registered to compete, with representation from B.C. to Manitoba.
5 U.S. teams are registered, including rising stars Team Strouse and fellow #TeamUpset challenger Team Anderson
4 Japanese teams are registered, including always a threat Team Yoshimura.
The Canadian teams have the statistical advantage for the playoff bracket but do not be surprised to see the teams from USA and Japan make a deep threat to "steal" those playoff spots.
This should be fun to watch.
#PopcornMatch
Team Kanai vs. Team Tabata - Draw 1: An all-Japanese battle right from opening rock and could play into playoff qualification.
Team Martin vs. Team Brown - Draw 5: Could decide the winner of Pool 4?
Qualifiers: Team Cameron, Team Brown, Team Strouse, Team Yoshimura, Team Martin, Team B. Peterson, Team Tabata, Team Sasaki, Team Anderson, Team Campbell, Team Kanai, Team Englot
Championship: Team Cameron def. Team Yoshimura
MEN
KW Fall Classic
Kitchener-Waterloo, ONT
2022 Champion: Team Fournier
Format: 19 team triple knockout with 8 qualifiers.
#Fav: Team Craik
Remember the on-going conversations around #NextGen athletes making the transition into the men's and women's game. How it can take time for some. And how some never really find equal success.
Well, say hello to Scotland's James Craik.
The 2022 world junior champion (and 2020 world junior bronze medal winner) is making noise this season.
A SF run at their season opener in Baden was followed by a QF result Stirling. Losses to teams like Mouat and Retornaz certainly are not "bad losses". And wins over Schwaller, Brunner and Dropkin are impressive.
Sure, the team struggled at the Oslo Cup with an 0-4 result but that could be chalked up to 3 straight weeks of competition and travel. #NextGen teams often have to get used to that type of schedule and sometimes a slip up happens. It happens to even the best top teams in the world.
Team Craik is now sitting at #18 in the world. This is an opportunity to build on their continued rise up the rankings mountain.
#TeamUpset: Team Husain
Welcome Guyana! The South American nation is here and ready to make their mark on the World Curling Tour.
Guyana's representation on tour ups South American representation, joining Brazil.
For Ray Husain and his team, this weekend is a huge tune up in their preparations for the upcoming 2023 Pan Continental Curling Championships.
As we saw in 2022, Guyana won the B-Division to earn A-Division promotion. This result was considered a bit of a "surprise" and a true #TeamUpset.
Now the team needs to prepare for A-Division, where they will face off against top nations like Canada, USA, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and Australia.
Can Husain make a run to the championship trophy this weekend? Possibly not.
But that may not be the big picture intent of competing this weekend either. If the team can get some competitive rocks under their sliders and gain confidence and momentum towards #PCCC2023, the weekend will be a success regardless of the W/L record.
For a #growthesport perspective, get your eyes on Team Husain and support Guyana.
#W2W4
Canadian curling fans may want to pay attention to Team Asselin.
No, not the men's version of Team Asselin.
This weekend we will see the mixed version of Team Asselin. Also known as current Team Canada.
The Quebec foursome won the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship last November.
In doing so, they will represent Canada at the World Mixed Curling Championship this October in Scotland, where Canada is the defending champion (won in 2022 by fellow Quebecers Team Menard).
Entering the KW Classic this weekend will prove to be a great training and preparation opportunity for Team Canada.
Sure, this is a men's tour event but Asselin brothers Felix and Emile will be joined by teammates vice Laurie St-Georges and lead Emily Riley.
Can we see a mixed team compete for a playoff spot in a men's tour event? Do not underestimate Team Canada!
#PopcornMatch
Team Ainsley vs. Team Husain - Draw 2: A great opportunity for Husain against an experienced Ainsley.
Triple knockout formats means we are unsure what #PopcornMatch pairings we could see, which can be exciting. Imagine the possibilities:
Team Asselin vs. Team Craik. Team Fournier vs. Team Kean. Team Asselin vs. Team Fournier.
And so many possible others.
Qualifiers: Team Craik, Team Fournier, Team Kean, Team Dunnam, Team Ferris, Team Sato, Team Stocker, Team Asselin
Championship: Team Craik def. Team Ferris
Alberta Curling Series Major
Beaumont, AB
2022 Champion: Team Schwaller
Format: 17 team triple knockout with 8 qualifiers.
#Fav: Team Sluchinski
We know Team Sluchinski loves competing on Alberta ice. And, when doing so, often find success with deep playoff runs and tour titles.
We have seen Sluchinski compete in Leduc and Edmonton already this season, resulting in a tour title and QF finish.
The continued strong tour results can lead Sluchinski onto #gsoc ice in the near future. And we already knew, going into this season, they would be a dark horse challenger for the AB men's title.
The field this weekend has fellow Top 20 teams, top international teams and strong challengers. Another good result in Beaumont should be expected.
#TeamUpset: Team Kapp
A #NextGen team ready to make moves on the men's game...hmmm, sound familiar?
As mentioned with James Craik in the KW Classic preview, how about Benny Kapp in Beaumont?
Kapp has been the back-to-back world junior silver medal winner, reaching the finals in 2022 and 2023.
This season the team welcomes experience into the lineup with Marc Muskatewitz. Muskatewitz, or "Mukki" as some of us refer to him, has been to European and world championships.
This could be a match made in heaven, as shown with the team winning the German championship last season.
The still junior-eligible members of Team Kapp actually competed in a junior tour event last weekend in Switzerland and claimed the title. The boys arrived in Canada with some momentum.
And the schedule decision to compete in Canada is part of the bigger picture for the German team, as they prepare for their upcoming Euro Challenger Best-of-5 series against Team Totzek.
And special shout out again to New Zealand's Team Hood, who will still be competing this weekend.
#W2W4
Here is another tour event where Canada vs. The World could be worth keeping an eye on.
9 Canadian teams.
5 Pan Continental teams (2 Japan, 1 Korea, 1 New Zealand, 1 USA).
3 European teams (Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland).
Statistical advantage Canada.
Rankings advantage Europe.
This season tour advantage Pan Continental.
Who takes the advantage and win in Beaumont?
#PopcornMatch
Team Kapp vs. Team Tao - Draw 1: Tao reached the SF last weekend. Kapp's junior boys won a junior tour title last weekend. This should be a fun opener.
Again, with a triple knockout we can only speculate on possible #PopcornMatch games. But imagine these possibilities, among many others:
Team Sluchinski vs. Team Morozumi. Team Kapp vs. Team Gosgens. Team Purcell vs. Team Sluchinski. Team Morozumi vs. Team Yanagisawa. Team Hood vs. Team Purcell. Team Brunner vs. Team Purcell. Team Sluchinski vs. Team Brunner.
Qualifiers: Team Sluchinski, Team Purcell, Team Morozumi, Team Yanagisawa, Team Gosgens, Team Tao, Team Brunner, Team Kapp
Championship: Team Morozumi def. Team Sluchinski
Mother Club Fall Curling Classic
Winnipeg, MB
2022 Champion: Team Wiebe
Format: 16 team triple knockout with 8 qualifiers.
#Fav: Team Wiebe
Currently ranked #22 in the world, Winnipeg's Team Wiebe continues to make a move up the world rankings and make their push to future #gsoc ticket invite,
This will be their 3rd event of the season, having reached the SF at the U25 #NextGen Classic and the QF in Saville last weekend.
The blog had a keen eye on Wiebe last season, often being listed as a #TeamUpset flag bearer.
The results of last season, continued early into this season, have them now officially making the move from #TeamUpset to #Fav.
But the move also brings pressure. You are now a team being hunted as the team is on the cusp of the Top 20.
This weekend is a great opportunity for the boys to show they are a dark horse Manitoba #BuffaloHunt threat.
#TeamUpset: Team Brundidge
Don't tell the team from Minnesota they are ranked #133 on the world rankings.
If you go by the results this season, they are coming off a finals appearance last weekend at the MCT Challenge.
Rankings be damned, any time a team makes a run to a tour final is impressive and representative of a strong team.
The question now will be how Team Brundidge follows up last weekend's finals run?
The back-to-back weekend events in Winnipeg was smart scheduling. The first half was successful. Now the team will attempt the Winnipeg Double with another deep playoff run.
There is much discussion around Team Shuster and Team Dropkin leading USA curling. But Brundidge's results last weekend show there are more than 2 teams leading the Stars and Stripes movement.
#W2W4
There are 4 Winnipeg teams in this field who all believe they can be the true dark horse threat for a Manitoba title this season.
Team Calvert. Team McDonald. Team Smith. Team Wiebe.
While there are 10 teams in this field, these 4 teams may have a subplot brewing amongst them. Which team can take the early lead among their competitors?
Wiebe beat McDonald at the U25 event.
But this is the first time all 4 of these "next group" of Manitoba challengers are entered in the same event so eyes should be watching them to see which can outperform the others and make a deep run to the playoffs...and possibly the title.
#PopcornMatch
With a triple knockout format, we can speculate on possible exciting #PopcornMatch games:
Team Calvert vs. Team McDonald vs. Team Smith vs. Team Wiebe. Team Brundidge vs. Team Maeda. Team Maeda vs. Team Wiebe. Team Brundidge vs. Team Sampson.
Qualifiers: Team Calvert, Team Wiebe, Team McDonald, Team Maeda, Team Grassie, Team Brundidge, Team R. Smith, Team Sampson
Championship: Team Wiebe def. Team Maeda
#StayTuned
For those competing this weekend, good luck and good curling.
Always remember, the blog, and the #PowerRankings, are watching. 👀👀
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